How to pronounce hydrocarbon
Say it like hy-droh-KAR-bun. Hydrocarbon has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hydrocarbon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hy
- droh
- KAR
- bun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hydrocarbon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- drohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- KARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hydrocarbon
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: hy-droh-KAH-bun.
What does hydrocarbon mean?
- A compound consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Where does hydrocarbon come from?
From hydro- + carbon.
Questions about saying hydrocarbon
How do you pronounce hydrocarbon?
Say hy-droh-KAR-bun. The American pronunciation is /ˌhaɪdroʊˈkɑrbən/. In British English it is /ˌhaɪdrəʊˈkɑːbən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hydrocarbon?
Hydrocarbon has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAR). Broken into parts: hy · droh · KAR · bun.
Is hydrocarbon 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 /ˌhaɪdrəʊˈkɑːbən/ (hy-droh-KAH-bun).