How to pronounce gittern
Say it like GHIT-ern. Gittern has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GHIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gittern. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GHIT
- ern
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gittern pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GHITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ernKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of gittern
- 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: GHIT-un.
What does gittern mean?
- A small, quill-plucked, gut-strung musical instrument, most commonly with three to four strings in doubles courses; it is a flat-backed predecessor of the guitar, and it originated around the 13th century, coming to Europe via Moorish Spain.
- To play on the gittern.
Where does gittern come from?
Inherited from Middle English giterne, from Old French guiterne, ultimately from Latin cithara.
Words that rhyme with gittern
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gittern.
Questions about saying gittern
How do you pronounce gittern?
Say GHIT-ern. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡɪtərn/. In British English it is /ˈɡɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gittern?
Gittern has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GHIT). Broken into parts: GHIT · ern.
Is gittern 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 /ˈɡɪtən/ (GHIT-un).