How to pronounce hippopotamus
Say it like hip-uh-POT-uh-mus. Hippopotamus has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hippopotamus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hip
- uh
- POT
- uh
- mus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hippopotamus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hipGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- musKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hippopotamus
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: hip-uh-POT-uh-mus.
What does hippopotamus mean?
- A semi-aquatic, herbivorous, African hoofed mammal of the family Hippopotamidae.
- The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius).
Where does hippopotamus come from?
Displaced displaced English nicker (from native Old English nicor) and river horse.
Words that rhyme with hippopotamus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hippopotamus.
Questions about saying hippopotamus
How do you pronounce hippopotamus?
Say hip-uh-POT-uh-mus. The American pronunciation is /ˌhɪpəˈpɑtəməs/. In British English it is /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hippopotamus?
Hippopotamus has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POT). Broken into parts: hip · uh · POT · uh · mus.
Is hippopotamus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/ (hip-uh-POT-uh-mus).