How to pronounce kindergarten
Say it like KIN-der-gar-tun. Kindergarten has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kindergarten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KIN
- der
- gar
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kindergarten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- garGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of kindergarten
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KIN-duh-gah-tun.
What does kindergarten mean?
- a preschool for children age 4 to 6 to prepare them for primary school
Where does kindergarten come from?
Unadapted borrowing from German Kindergarten (“kindergarten”, literally “garden of children”), coined by German pedagogue Friedrich Fröbel in 1840.
Questions about saying kindergarten
How do you pronounce kindergarten?
Say KIN-der-gar-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɪndɚˌɡɑrtən/. In British English it is /ˈkɪndəˌɡɑːtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kindergarten?
Kindergarten has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KIN). Broken into parts: KIN · der · gar · tun.
Is kindergarten 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 /ˈkɪndəˌɡɑːtən/ (KIN-duh-gah-tun).