How to pronounce desertification
Say it like dih-zur-tih-fih-KAY-shun. Desertification has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce desertification. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- zur
- tih
- fih
- KAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Desertification pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- zurGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of desertification
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dih-zur-tih-fih-KAY-shun.
What does desertification mean?
- The process by which a geographic region becomes a desert, resulting from natural changes in climate or by human activity.
Where does desertification come from?
From desert + -ification (“process of becoming”).
Words that rhyme with desertification
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of desertification.
Questions about saying desertification
How do you pronounce desertification?
Say dih-zur-tih-fih-KAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪˌzɝtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˌzɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in desertification?
Desertification has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (KAY). Broken into parts: dih · zur · tih · fih · KAY · shun.
Is desertification 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 /dɪˌzɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ (dih-zur-tih-fih-KAY-shun).