Learn How to Pronounce sympathy

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

sympathy

Definition:

(nou) an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion (nou) sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish) (nou) a relation of affinity or harmony between people; whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈsɪmpəθi

Examples:

Thanks for the expressions of sympathy.

Each has the sympathy of the reader and that of the author.

He gained the sympathy of the Serbian people.

Learn more about:
sympathy

Related Words:

mercy

understanding

How to perfect your pronunciation of: sympathy

Learn Individual Sounds

Break sympathy down into individual sounds such as ˈsɪmpəθi. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say sympathy in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say sympathy in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with sympathy.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of sympathy pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Many people incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "sym-ˈpa-thy". The correct stress is on the first syllable: "ˈsɪm-pə-thi". Tip: Remember to emphasize the first part, "sim".
Vowel confusion: Some may pronounce the first vowel as "æ" (as in "cat"), resulting in "sæm-pə-thy". The correct vowel sound is "ɪ" (as in "sit"). Tip: Focus on the "i" sound in "sim".
Overpronouncing "th": A common mistake is to overly emphasize the "th" sound, leading to "sym-pə-ˈθi". The correct pronunciation is "sym-pə-θi" with a soft "th" sound. Tip: Keep the "th" light and quick.
Ignoring the schwa: Some speakers neglect the schwa sound in the second syllable, saying "sym-pə-thy" instead of "sym-pə-thy". The schwa is pronounced as "ə". Tip: Practice saying the second syllable softly, like "pə".
Dropping the last syllable: A frequent error is omitting the last syllable, resulting in "sympa". The correct pronunciation includes all syllables: "ˈsɪm-pə-thi". Tip: Always finish with the "thy" to complete the word.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "sympathy"?

In American English, "sympathy" is pronounced as /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/ with the stress on the first syllable. In British English, it is pronounced the same way, /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/, so both variants share the same pronunciation.

What are the syllables in "sympathy"?

The word "sympathy" has three syllables: "sym," "pa," and "thy." You can break it down as /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/, making it easier to pronounce each part clearly.

Is there a schwa sound in "sympathy"?

Yes, "sympathy" contains a schwa sound in the second syllable, pronounced as "pə." The schwa is an unstressed vowel sound, making it softer and less distinct than other vowels.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "sympathy"?

A common mistake is stressing the second syllable instead of the first, which can lead to confusion. Remember to place the emphasis on the first syllable: "sym" as in /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/.