How to pronounce oseltamivir
Say it like oh-sel-TAM-ih-veer. Oseltamivir has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oseltamivir. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- sel
- TAM
- ih
- veer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oseltamivir pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- selKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- TAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- veerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of oseltamivir
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-sel-TAM-ih-veer.
What does oseltamivir mean?
- An antiviral drug that is taken orally in the form of its phosphate C₁₆H₂₈N₂O₄·H₃PO₄ and is a neuraminidase inhibitor used in the treatment and prevention of influenza. It is a derivative of shikimic acid, and is marketed as Tamiflu.
Where does oseltamivir come from?
From oselt- (of unknown origin) + -amivir (“neuraminidase inhibitor”).
Questions about saying oseltamivir
How do you pronounce oseltamivir?
Say oh-sel-TAM-ih-veer. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊsɛlˈtæmɪˌvɪr/. In British English it is /ˌəʊsɛlˈtæmɪˌvɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oseltamivir?
Oseltamivir has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAM). Broken into parts: oh · sel · TAM · ih · veer.
Is oseltamivir 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 /ˌəʊsɛlˈtæmɪˌvɪə/ (oh-sel-TAM-ih-veer).