How to Pronounce “schema”

American (US)

/ˈskiːmə/

British (UK)

/ˈskiːmə/

Australian (AU)

/ˈskiːmə/

noun — A formal description of the structure of data, such as the tables and fields of a database.

Example: Changing the schema required a migration.

Synonyms: structure, blueprint

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

schema (noun): A formal description of the structure of data, such as the tables and fields of a database. For example — Changing the schema required a migration.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "schema", /ˈskiːmə/, 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 "schema"?

/ˈskiːmə/ in American English, /ˈskiːmə/ in British English, /ˈskiːmə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "schema"?

“schema” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈskiːmə/ 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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