How to Pronounce “hypertension”

American (US)

/ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtɛn.ʃən/

British (UK)

/ˌhaɪ.pəˈtɛn.ʃən/

noun — Abnormally high blood pressure.

Example: Untreated hypertension strains the heart.

Where the stress falls. “hypertension” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtɛn.ʃən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtɛn.ʃən/ 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 "hypertension" mean?

hypertension (noun): Abnormally high blood pressure. For example — Untreated hypertension strains the heart.

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

American English: /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtɛn.ʃən/. British English: /ˌhaɪ.pəˈtɛn.ʃən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "hypertension"?

/ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtɛn.ʃən/ in American English, /ˌhaɪ.pəˈtɛn.ʃən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "hypertension"?

“hypertension” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtɛn.ʃən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.