How to Pronounce “indigenous”

American (US)

/ɪnˈdɪd͡ʒənəs/

British (UK)

/ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/

adjective — Native to a land, especially before colonization.

Example: The Aboriginals were indigenous to Victoria before the World War.

Where the stress falls. “indigenous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈdɪd͡ʒənəs/ 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. /ɪnˈdɪd͡ʒənəs/ 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 "indigenous" mean?

indigenous (adjective): Native to a land, especially before colonization. For example — The Aboriginals were indigenous to Victoria before the World War.

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

American English: /ɪnˈdɪd͡ʒənəs/. British English: /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "indigenous"?

/ɪnˈdɪd͡ʒənəs/ in American English, /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "indigenous"?

“indigenous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈdɪd͡ʒənəs/ 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.