How to pronounce terrapin
Say it like TER-uh-pin. Terrapin has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce terrapin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TER
- uh
- pin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Terrapin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- pinGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of terrapin
American and British speakers say terrapin in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛrəˌpɪn/ in the US and /ˈtɛrəpɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: TER-uh-pin.
What does terrapin mean?
- Any of several small turtles of the families Emydidae and Geoemydidae found throughout the world.
Where does terrapin come from?
From torup (“snapping turtle native to North America, especially the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)”) or from its etymon Powhatan *tōrəp (“sea turtle”) + possibly English -ine (suffix forming derivative or diminutive nouns), p
Questions about saying terrapin
How do you pronounce terrapin?
Say TER-uh-pin. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛrəˌpɪn/. In British English it is /ˈtɛrəpɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in terrapin?
Terrapin has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER). Broken into parts: TER · uh · pin.
Do Americans and Brits say terrapin the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛrəˌpɪn/ and the British form is /ˈtɛrəpɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.