How to Pronounce “Linux”

American (US)

/ˈlɪnəks/

British (UK)

/ˈlɪnəks/

proper noun — The Unix-like open-source computer operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991.

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

Linux (proper noun): The Unix-like open-source computer operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "Linux", /ˈlɪnəks/, 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 "Linux"?

/ˈlɪnəks/ in American English, /ˈlɪnəks/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Linux"?

“Linux” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlɪnəks/ 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.

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