How to pronounce sonder
Say it like SON-der. Sonder has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sonder. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SON
- der
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sonder pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of sonder
- 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.
British respelling: SON-duh.
What does sonder mean?
- The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.
Where does sonder come from?
Coined by American author and neologist John Koenig in 2012, whose project, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, aims to come up with new words for emotions that currently lack names.
Words that rhyme with sonder
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sonder.
Questions about saying sonder
How do you pronounce sonder?
Say SON-der. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɑndɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsɒndə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sonder?
Sonder has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SON). Broken into parts: SON · der.
Is sonder 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 /ˈsɒndə/ (SON-duh).