How to pronounce hernia
Say it like HUR-nee-uh. Hernia has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hernia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HUR
- nee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hernia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hernia
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HUR-nee-uh.
What does hernia mean?
- A disorder in which a part of the body protrudes abnormally through a tear or opening in an adjacent part, especially of the abdomen.“give someone a hernia”
Where does hernia come from?
Borrowed from Latin hernia (“protruded viscus”).
Questions about saying hernia
How do you pronounce hernia?
Say HUR-nee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɝniə/. In British English it is /ˈhɜːniə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hernia?
Hernia has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR). Broken into parts: HUR · nee · uh.
Is hernia 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 /ˈhɜːniə/ (HUR-nee-uh).