How to pronounce verstehen
Say it like versh-TAY-un. Verstehen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce verstehen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- versh
- TAY
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Verstehen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vershKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of verstehen
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: vush-TAY-un.
What does verstehen mean?
- A stance that attempts to understand the meaning of action from the actor’s point of view, so that the actor is seen as a subject rather than an object of observation.
Where does verstehen come from?
Unadapted borrowing from German Verstehen or German verstehen (“to understand, comprehend”).
Words that rhyme with verstehen
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of verstehen.
Questions about saying verstehen
How do you pronounce verstehen?
Say versh-TAY-un. The American pronunciation is /vərʃˈteɪən/. In British English it is /vəʃˈteɪən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in verstehen?
Verstehen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY). Broken into parts: versh · TAY · un.
Is verstehen 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 /vəʃˈteɪən/ (vush-TAY-un).