How to pronounce genitive
Say it like JEN-uh-tiv. Genitive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce genitive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JEN
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Genitive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of genitive
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: JEN-ih-tiv.
What does genitive mean?
- Of a grammatical case: in an inflected language (such as Greek or Latin), expressing that a thing denoted by a word is related to a thing denoted by another word as its origin or possessor; and in an uninflected language (such as English), expressing origin or possession; possessive.“dependent genitive”
- Of, pertaining to, or used in the genitive case.
- A word inflected in the genitive case, and which thus indicates origin or possession.
Where does genitive come from?
The noun is derived from Late Middle English genetif (“genitive case”), from the adjective (see above).
Questions about saying genitive
How do you pronounce genitive?
Say JEN-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒɛnətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈdʒɛnɪtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in genitive?
Genitive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JEN). Broken into parts: JEN · uh · tiv.
Is genitive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈdʒɛnɪtɪv/ (JEN-ih-tiv).