How to Pronounce “per se”

American (US)

/pər ˈseɪ/

British (UK)

/pə ˈseɪ/

Australian (AU)

/pəˈsæɪ/

adverb — Without determination by or involvement of extraneous factors; by its very nature.

Example: Some people say that a hangover is caused by impurities in the drink, not by the alcohol per se.

Where the stress falls. “per se” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /pər ˈseɪ/ 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. /pər ˈseɪ/ 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 "per se" mean?

per se (adverb): Without determination by or involvement of extraneous factors; by its very nature. For example — Some people say that a hangover is caused by impurities in the drink, not by the alcohol per se.

How do you pronounce "per se" in American vs British English?

American English: /pər ˈseɪ/. British English: /pə ˈseɪ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "per se"?

/pər ˈseɪ/ in American English, /pə ˈseɪ/ in British English, /pəˈsæɪ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "per se"?

“per se” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /pər ˈseɪ/ 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.