How to pronounce gesundheit
Say it like guh-ZUUNT-hyte. Gesundheit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUUNT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gesundheit. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- guh
- ZUUNT
- hyte
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gesundheit pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- guhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZUUNTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- hyteKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of gesundheit
American and British speakers say gesundheit in essentially the same way: /ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt/ in the US and /ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: guh-ZUUNT-hyte.
What does gesundheit mean?
- Said to someone who has just sneezed.
- Said in response to a word that sounds onomatopoeically similar to a sneeze.
- Used as a toast
Where does gesundheit come from?
Unadapted borrowing from German Gesundheit (literally “health”), from gesund (“healthy”).
Questions about saying gesundheit
How do you pronounce gesundheit?
Say guh-ZUUNT-hyte. The American pronunciation is /ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt/. In British English it is /ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gesundheit?
Gesundheit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUUNT). Broken into parts: guh · ZUUNT · hyte.
Do Americans and Brits say gesundheit the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt/ and the British form is /ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.