How to pronounce that
Say it like THAT. That is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- THAT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
That pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of that
American and British speakers say that in essentially the same way: /ðæt/ in the US and /ðæt/ in the UK.
British respelling: THAT.
What does that mean?
- Introducing a clause that is the object of a verb, especially a reporting verb or verb expressing belief, knowledge, perception, etc.“He told me that the book is a good read.”
- As delayed subject.“It is almost certain that she will come.”
- As direct subject.“That she will come is almost certain.”
- The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as “this”, or if expressing distinction.“That book is a good read. This one isn't.”
- The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as “this”, or if expressing distinction.“That's my car over there.”
- Used to refer to a noun phrase or statement just made.“They're getting divorced. What do you think about that?”
- Used to emphatically affirm or deny a previous statement or question.“The water is so cold!, That it is.”
Where does that come from?
From Middle English that, from Old English þæt (“the, that”, neuter definite article and relative pronoun), from Proto-West Germanic *þat, from Proto-Germanic *þat.
Words that rhyme with that
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of that.
Questions about saying that
How do you pronounce that?
Say THAT. The American pronunciation is /ðæt/. In British English it is /ðæt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in that?
That is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: THAT.
Do Americans and Brits say that the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ðæt/ and the British form is /ðæt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.