How to pronounce hostages
Say it like HAH-stuh-juz. Hostages has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hostages. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAH
- stuh
- juz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hostages pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- juzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hostages
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: HOS-tuh-juz.
What does hostages mean?
- plural of hostage How to pronounce hostage
Questions about saying hostages
How do you pronounce hostages?
Say HAH-stuh-juz. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑstədʒəz/. In British English it is /ˈhɒstədʒəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hostages?
Hostages has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH). Broken into parts: HAH · stuh · juz.
Is hostages 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 /ˈhɒstədʒəz/ (HOS-tuh-juz).