How to pronounce retroflex
Say it like RET-roh-fleks. Retroflex has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retroflex. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RET
- roh
- fleks
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retroflex pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- fleksKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of retroflex
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: RET-roh-fleks.
What does retroflex mean?
- Bent or curved backwards.
- Of pronunciation in which the tip of the tongue is raised and bent backwards, so that the underside of the tongue approaches or touches the palate.
- Of pronunciation in which the tip of the tongue approaches or touches the back of the alveolar ridge.
- A consonant pronounced with the underside of the tongue approaching or touching the palate.
- A consonant pronounced with the tip of the tongue approaching or touching the back of the alveolar ridge.
- A consonant pronounced with the blade of the tongue approaching or touching the back of the alveolar ridge.
- To bend or curve backwards.
Where does retroflex come from?
From Latin rētrōflexus, the perfect participle of rētrōflectō (“bend, turn”), from flectō (“bend, turn”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying retroflex
How do you pronounce retroflex?
Say RET-roh-fleks. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛtroʊflɛks/. In British English it is /ˈrɛtrəʊflɛks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retroflex?
Retroflex has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET). Broken into parts: RET · roh · fleks.
Is retroflex pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈrɛtrəʊflɛks/ (RET-roh-fleks).