How to pronounce percussion
Say it like per-KUHSH-un. Percussion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHSH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce percussion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- KUHSH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Percussion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- KUHSHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of percussion
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-KUHSH-un.
What does percussion mean?
- The collision of two bodies in order to produce a sound.
- The sound so produced.
- The detonation of a percussion cap in a firearm.
Where does percussion come from?
From Middle English percussioun, from Middle French, Old French percussion, from Latin percussiō (“striking”), from percutiō (“to strike”).
Words that rhyme with percussion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of percussion.
Questions about saying percussion
How do you pronounce percussion?
Say per-KUHSH-un. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈkʌʃən/. In British English it is /pəˈkʌʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in percussion?
Percussion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHSH). Broken into parts: per · KUHSH · un.
Is percussion 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 /pəˈkʌʃən/ (puh-KUHSH-un).