How to pronounce "quantum"

quantum

Noun
American
/ˈkwɑːn.təm/

Syllable Breakdown

quan tum

How natives say quantum

British
/ˈkwɒn.təm/

Syllable Breakdown

quan tum

How natives say quantum

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with 'kw' as in 'quick'.

  • Move to 'ɑː' with mouth open wide, like 'car'.

  • End with 'n' and soft 'təm', with the mouth relaxed.

Common Mistakes

  • kwan-tom

  • kwon-tum

  • quan-tim

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with 'kw' as in 'quick'.

  • Say 'ɒ' like in 'pot', with lips rounded.

  • End with 'n' and quick 'təm', keeping it short.

common mistakes

  • kwan-tom

  • kwon-tum

  • quan-tem

FAQ

Is 'quantum' pronounced with an 'um' or 'om'?

It's pronounced with 'um', similar to 'thumb'.

Is the 't' in 'quantum' silent?

No, the 't' is pronounced softly.

Why is 'quan' not pronounced like 'can'?

The 'qu' gives a 'kw' sound, so it's 'kwan'.

Definition

quantum

A basic unit in physics, like energy or matter.

Word Family

quantity

/ˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/

noun

Amount or number

Example: We need a large quantity of paper.

qualify

/ˈkwɒl.ɪ.faɪ/

verb

Meet the standards

Example: She will qualify for the finals.

quality

/ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti/

noun

Characteristic or standard

Example: Quality is important to us.

Key Pronunciation Differences

'Quantum' uses 'kwɑːn', while 'quantity' uses 'kwɒn'.

'Quantum' and 'qualify' both use 'kw', but different syllables follow.

Both 'quantum' and 'quality' use 'kw', but 'quality' has a 'l' after 'w'.

Pro Tips

Listen and Repeat

Hear native speakers say 'quantum' and practice it aloud.

Use Visualization

Imagine the sound of 'kw' like in 'quick' to help with the start.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Quantum

achieve

/əˈtʃiv/

artificial

/ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/

biotechnology

/ˌbaɪ.oʊ.teɪˈnɑː.lə.dʒi/

challenge

/ˈtʃælɪndʒ/

chemical

/ˈkɛmɪkəl/

chemistry

/ˈkɛmɪstri/

cyberspace

/ˈsaɪbərˌspeɪs/

difference

/ˈdɪfərəns/

Other Categories

Test Your Pronunciation On Words Within Other Categories

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