How to pronounce empathy
Say it like EM-puh-thee. Empathy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce empathy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EM
- puh
- thee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Empathy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- theeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of empathy
American and British speakers say empathy in essentially the same way: /ˈɛmpəθi/ in the US and /ˈɛmpəθi/ in the UK.
British respelling: EM-puh-thee.
What does empathy mean?
- understanding and entering into another's feelings
Questions about saying empathy
How do you pronounce empathy?
Say EM-puh-thee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛmpəθi/. In British English it is /ˈɛmpəθi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in empathy?
Empathy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EM). Broken into parts: EM · puh · thee.
Do Americans and Brits say empathy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛmpəθi/ and the British form is /ˈɛmpəθi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.