How to pronounce methane
Say it like METH-ayn. Methane has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (METH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce methane. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- METH
- ayn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Methane pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- METHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- aynGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of methane
American and British speakers say methane in essentially the same way: /ˈmɛˌθeɪn/ in the US and /ˈmiːθeɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: MEE-thayn.
What does methane mean?
- a colorless odorless gas used as a fuel
Where does methane come from?
From methyl + -ane.
Questions about saying methane
How do you pronounce methane?
Say METH-ayn. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɛˌθeɪn/. In British English it is /ˈmiːθeɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in methane?
Methane has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (METH). Broken into parts: METH · ayn.
Do Americans and Brits say methane the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɛˌθeɪn/ and the British form is /ˈmiːθeɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.