How to pronounce firn
Say it like FEERN. Firn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce firn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/fɪrn/FEERN
UK British/fɪən/FEERN
- FEERN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Firn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FEERNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of firn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FEERN.
What does firn mean?
noun
- A type of old snow which has gone through multiple thaw and refreeze cycles and thus is made of numerous small icy grains, though it is not nearly as saturated with water as snowcone slush is; can be hard or somewhat soft depending on recent and current weather conditions.
Questions about saying firn
How do you pronounce firn?
Say FEERN. The American pronunciation is /fɪrn/. In British English it is /fɪən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in firn?
Firn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FEERN.
Is firn 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 /fɪən/ (FEERN).