How to Pronounce “consistent”

American (US)

/kənˈsɪs.tənt/

British (UK)

/kənˈsɪs.tənt/

adjective — Of a regularly occurring, dependable nature.

Example: The consistent use of Chinglish in China can be very annoying, apart from some initial amusement.

Where the stress falls. “consistent” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ 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 "consistent" mean?

consistent (adjective): Of a regularly occurring, dependable nature. For example — The consistent use of Chinglish in China can be very annoying, apart from some initial amusement.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "consistent", /kənˈsɪs.tənt/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "consistent"?

/kənˈsɪs.tənt/ in American English, /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "consistent"?

“consistent” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.