How to pronounce mensa
Say it like MEN-suh. Mensa has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mensa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MEN
- suh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mensa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of mensa
American and British speakers say mensa in essentially the same way: /ˈmɛnsə/ in the US and /ˈmɛnsə/ in the UK.
British respelling: MEN-suh.
What does mensa mean?
- In planetary geology, a large mesa-like area of raised land.
- The upper surface of an altar.
Where does mensa come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin mēnsa (“table, altar”).
Questions about saying mensa
How do you pronounce mensa?
Say MEN-suh. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɛnsə/. In British English it is /ˈmɛnsə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mensa?
Mensa has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEN). Broken into parts: MEN · suh.
Do Americans and Brits say mensa the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɛnsə/ and the British form is /ˈmɛnsə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.