How to pronounce lenis
Say it like LEE-nus. Lenis has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lenis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lenis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lenis
American and British speakers say lenis in essentially the same way: /ˈlinəs/ in the US and /ˈliːnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEE-nus.
What does lenis mean?
- Relatively weakly articulated, hence unaspirated and possibly voiced; especially as compared to the others of a group of homorganic consonants.
- A lenis consonant.
Where does lenis come from?
Borrowed from Latin lēnis (“soft, smooth”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with lenis
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lenis.
Questions about saying lenis
How do you pronounce lenis?
Say LEE-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈlinəs/. In British English it is /ˈliːnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lenis?
Lenis has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say lenis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlinəs/ and the British form is /ˈliːnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.