How to pronounce countertenor
Say it like KOWN-ter-ten-er. Countertenor has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce countertenor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOWN
- ter
- ten
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Countertenor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- tenGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of countertenor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KOWN-tuh-ten-uh.
What does countertenor mean?
- An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.
- A male singing voice far higher than the typical male vocal range.
Where does countertenor come from?
From Latin contrātenor.
Questions about saying countertenor
How do you pronounce countertenor?
Say KOWN-ter-ten-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊntɚˌtɛnɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkaʊntəˌtɛnə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in countertenor?
Countertenor has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN). Broken into parts: KOWN · ter · ten · er.
Is countertenor pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkaʊntəˌtɛnə/ (KOWN-tuh-ten-uh).