How to pronounce zither
Say it like ZITH-er. Zither has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ZITH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce zither. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ZITH
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Zither pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ZITHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of zither
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ZITH-uh.
What does zither mean?
- A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings placed on a horizontal surface, played with a plectrum or fingertips.
- Related or similar instruments in other cultures, such as the Chinese guqin or Norwegian harpeleik; especially any chordophone without a neck, and with strings that pass over the body.
- To play a zither.
- To make a sound similar to that made by a zither; to move while making such a sound.
Words that rhyme with zither
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of zither.
Questions about saying zither
How do you pronounce zither?
Say ZITH-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈzɪðɚ/. In British English it is /ˈzɪðə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in zither?
Zither has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ZITH). Broken into parts: ZITH · er.
Is zither 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 /ˈzɪðə/ (ZITH-uh).