How to pronounce fermata
Say it like fur-MAH-tuh. Fermata has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fermata. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fur
- MAH
- tuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fermata pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- furGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- MAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of fermata
- 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: fur-MAH-tuh.
What does fermata mean?
- The holding of a note or rest for longer than its usual duration.
- The notation ⟨◌͒⟩ of such a prolongation, usually represented as a dot with a semi-circle above or below it, written above or below the prolonged note or rest.
Where does fermata come from?
Borrowed from Italian fermata, from fermare (“to stop”).
Words that rhyme with fermata
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fermata.
Questions about saying fermata
How do you pronounce fermata?
Say fur-MAH-tuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌfɝˈmɑtə/. In British English it is /ˌfɜːˈmɑːtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fermata?
Fermata has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAH). Broken into parts: fur · MAH · tuh.
Is fermata 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 /ˌfɜːˈmɑːtə/ (fur-MAH-tuh).