How to pronounce nepenthes
Say it like nuh-PEN-theez. Nepenthes has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nepenthes. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- nuh
- PEN
- theez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nepenthes pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- theezKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of nepenthes
American and British speakers say nepenthes in essentially the same way: /nəˈpɛnθiz/ in the US and /nɪˈpɛnθiːz/ in the UK.
British respelling: nih-PEN-theez.
What does nepenthes mean?
- A drug mentioned in Homer's Odyssey (c. 8th century B.C.E.) as bringing relief from anxiety or grief; hence, any drug or substance seen as bringing welcome forgetfulness or relief.
- A Southeast Asian carnivorous plant of the genus Nepenthes; a monkey cup or tropical pitcher plant.
Questions about saying nepenthes
How do you pronounce nepenthes?
Say nuh-PEN-theez. The American pronunciation is /nəˈpɛnθiz/. In British English it is /nɪˈpɛnθiːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nepenthes?
Nepenthes has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEN). Broken into parts: nuh · PEN · theez.
Do Americans and Brits say nepenthes the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /nəˈpɛnθiz/ and the British form is /nɪˈpɛnθiːz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.