How to pronounce paternoster
Say it like PAH-ter-naw-ster. Paternoster has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paternoster. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAH
- ter
- naw
- ster
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paternoster pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- sterKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of paternoster
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PAH-tuh-nos-tuh.
What does paternoster mean?
- The Lord's Prayer, especially in a Roman Catholic context.
- A slow, continuously moving lift or elevator consisting of a loop of open-fronted cabins running the height of a building.
- A bead-like ornament in moldings.
- To try to catch (fish, etc.) with a paternoster rig.
Where does paternoster come from?
From Middle English paternoster, pater noster, from Old English Paternoster, from Latin Pater noster (“our father”) (the first two words of the Oratio Dominica (“the Lord's prayer”)), from pater (“father”) + noster (“our”).
Questions about saying paternoster
How do you pronounce paternoster?
Say PAH-ter-naw-ster. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑtərˌnɔstɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpɑːtəˌnɒstə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paternoster?
Paternoster has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH). Broken into parts: PAH · ter · naw · ster.
Is paternoster 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 /ˈpɑːtəˌnɒstə/ (PAH-tuh-nos-tuh).