How to pronounce phosphate
Say it like FAHS-fayt. Phosphate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAHS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce phosphate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAHS
- fayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Phosphate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAHSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- faytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of phosphate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: FOS-fayt.
What does phosphate mean?
- Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid.
- Any fertilizer containing phosphate compounds.
- Guano (containing high levels of phosphates and harvested for the fertilizer industry).
- To treat or coat with a phosphate or phosphoric acid.
Where does phosphate come from?
From French phosphate.
Questions about saying phosphate
How do you pronounce phosphate?
Say FAHS-fayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɑsfeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈfɒsfeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in phosphate?
Phosphate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAHS). Broken into parts: FAHS · fayt.
Is phosphate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈfɒsfeɪt/ (FOS-fayt).