How to pronounce impertinence
Say it like im-PUR-tih-nuns. Impertinence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impertinence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PUR
- tih
- nuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impertinence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impertinence
- 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: im-PUR-tih-nuns.
What does impertinence mean?
- Lack of pertinence; irrelevance.
- An instance of this; a moment of being impertinent.
- The fact or character of being out of place; inappropriateness.
Where does impertinence come from?
Borrowed from Middle French impertinence, from impertinent (“impertinent”); by surface analysis, im- + pertinent.
Questions about saying impertinence
How do you pronounce impertinence?
Say im-PUR-tih-nuns. The American pronunciation is /ɪmˈpɝtɪnəns/. In British English it is /ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impertinence?
Impertinence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR). Broken into parts: im · PUR · tih · nuns.
Is impertinence 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 /ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəns/ (im-PUR-tih-nuns).