How to Pronounce “gestalt”

American (US)

/ɡəˈʃtɔlt/

British (UK)

/ɡəˈʃtælt/

noun — An organised whole that is more than the sum of its parts.

Example: The pieces only make sense as a gestalt.

Where the stress falls. “gestalt” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ɡəˈʃtɔlt/ 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. /ɡəˈʃtɔlt/ 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 "gestalt" mean?

gestalt (noun): An organised whole that is more than the sum of its parts. For example — The pieces only make sense as a gestalt.

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

American English: /ɡəˈʃtɔlt/. British English: /ɡəˈʃtælt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "gestalt"?

/ɡəˈʃtɔlt/ in American English, /ɡəˈʃtælt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "gestalt"?

“gestalt” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ɡəˈʃtɔlt/ 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.