4 syllables: cal, cu, la, tion. Stress on la.
kal-kyuh-LAY-shuhn
/ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/
calculation is pronounced kal-kyuh-LAY-shuhn (/ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/). It has four syllables (cal-cu-la-tion), with the stress on "la". Calculation refers to the process of determining a numerical result, or the act of planning or reasoning through steps to reach a conclusion. It can describe mathematical operations, strategic planning, or the careful appraisal of outcomes. In everyday use, it often implies methodical, sometimes over-analytic thinking used to solve problems or predict consequences.
Calculation refers to the process of determining a numerical result, or the act of planning or reasoning through steps to reach a conclusion. It can describe mathematical operations, strategic planning, or the careful appraisal of outcomes. In everyday use, it often implies methodical, sometimes over-analytic thinking used to solve problems or predict consequences.
- You will often add an extra vowel between /l/ and /j/ (saying /lkj/ as /lɪkj/). Fix: keep /l/ and /j/ in one quick glide to form /lkj/. - Another mistake is misplacing stress as cal-CU-la-tion or CAL-cu-la-tion. Fix: primary stress on the third syllable -LA- (cal-cul-A-tion) in careful speech; in natural speech, stress remains on -la- but may loosen. - Ending mispronunciation by turning -tion into -tion with /n/ only or /ʃn/; ideal ending is /ʃn/, matching common English phonotactics. - Sometimes the /kj/ blend is swallowed, turning /kj/ into /k/ or /j/. Practice precise tongue position to maintain /kj/ within /lkj/. - Common linking mistakes in connected speech: failing to link the -ation suffix; practice liaison with surrounding words to preserve smooth sound.
"The engineer ran a calculation to ensure the bridge would hold under load."
"Her calculated approach to the negotiation helped her secure a favorable deal."
"We need a quick calculation to estimate the total cost before buying."
/ˌkælkjʊˈleɪʃn/ in US and UK, with primary stress on -la- in -leɪ- and a light final -tion. The main tricky parts are the /lj/ sequence after /kælk/ and the /eɪ/ vowel before -ʃn, which creates a two-morse rhythm: cal-cul-a-tion. Listen for the subtle /j/ glide between /lk/ and /ə/ or /j/ after /lk/. See audio references for precise rhythm.
Mistakes include misplacing stress (saying cal-cu-LA-tion with wrong emphasis), dropping the /j/ in the /lkj/ cluster, or pronouncing the ending as /tən/ instead of /ʃn/. Correction: keep the /lj/ sequence tight with a brief yotation, ensure the /eɪ/ is a clear diphthong, and end with /ʃn/ rather than /tn/ or /n/. Practicing the transition from /kælk/ to /lj/ helps stabilize the word.
In US and UK, the treble rhythm emphasizes -la- with /leɪ/ and ends with /ʃn/; rhoticity mainly affects vowel quality in surrounding words, not this word’s core. Australian speakers typically maintain the same /ˌkælkjʊˈleɪʃən/ with potentially a slightly centralized /ə/ in the second syllable due to accent. The main differences lie in vowel quality surrounding the stressed syllable and the linking in connected speech.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllable structure with a consonant cluster /lkj/ after /kælk/ and the two-syllable-nominal ending /ɪˈleɪʃn/ that transitions between /leɪ/ and /ʃn/. The /lj/ sequence requires precise tongue positioning to avoid a slurred or swallowed /l/ and /j/. Mastery comes from practicing the glide and the -tion suffix as /ʃn/ rather than a simple /n/ or /ən/.
The unique aspect is the /lj/ ligature after /lk/ in many pronunciations. You should aim for a smooth /lkj/ transition, not a separate /l/ and /j/. The -ation ending, realized as /eɪʃən/ or /eɪʃn̩/ depending on pace, can tax speakers; practice with a light, quick /ə/ before the /ʃən/ to maintain natural rhythm.
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- US: rhotic tendencies won’t affect calculation much, but you’ll hear a tighter /æ/ in the first vowel; keep /ə/ reduced in fast speech. - UK: you may hear a clearer /ə/ in the second syllable and slightly less rhotic influence on surrounding vowels; keep the /leɪ/ as a clean diphthong. - AU: more centralized vowel quality in some contexts and a slightly more pronounced /j/ in the /lkj/ cluster; maintain the glide without over-articulation. - IPA anchors: US/UK/AU all share /ˌkælkjʊˈleɪʃən/ (approx), but real speech uses /ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/ or /ˌkælkjʊˈleɪʃn̩/ depending on pace. Focus on the glide between /lk/ and /j/ and the final /ʃən/. - Tips: practice with careful tongue tips: touch alveolar ridge for /t/ in -tion, then quickly roll into /ʃən/. Use minimal pairs to separate /lj/ from /l/ and /j/ when you’re uncertain.
The word calculation comes from Latin calculatio, from calx, calc- meaning 'pebble' or 'stone' used for counting on a board. In Latin, calcellare referred to counting with stones, and by extension, the act of computing or figuring. The earliest English senses appeared in the late 14th century as “calculation” denoting counting or reckoning. The sense broadened in the 17th century to include mathematical problem-solving and, later, strategic or deliberate planning. The root cal- stems from the Proto-Italic cal- and Greek khal- in some related words, all connected to stones used as counting counters in ancient counting boards. Over time, the term evolved to encompass not only arithmetic operations but also the broader sense of careful planning and reasoning to infer outcomes, risks, or costs. The modern meaning thus sits at the intersection of numeric computation and deliberate strategic thinking.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "calculation" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "calculation"
-ion sounds
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