How to Pronounce “conscious”

American (US)

/ˈkɑn.ʃəs/

British (UK)

/ˈkɒn.ʃəs/

adjective — Alert, awake; with one's mental faculties active.

Example: The noise woke me, but it was another few minutes before I was fully conscious.

Where the stress falls. “conscious” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑn.ʃəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkɑn.ʃəs/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "conscious" mean?

conscious (adjective): Alert, awake; with one's mental faculties active. For example — The noise woke me, but it was another few minutes before I was fully conscious.

How do you pronounce "conscious" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈkɑn.ʃəs/. British English: /ˈkɒn.ʃəs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "conscious"?

/ˈkɑn.ʃəs/ in American English, /ˈkɒn.ʃəs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "conscious"?

“conscious” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑn.ʃəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.