2 syllables: Cat, sup. Stress on Cat.
KECH-uhp
/ˈkɛtʃəp/
Catsup is pronounced KECH-uhp (/ˈkɛtʃəp/). It has two syllables (Cat-sup), with the stress on "Cat". Catsup is an informal alternative spelling for ketchup, used chiefly in American English. It denotes a tomato-based condiment, typically sweeter and more vinegary. In linguistic terms, it’s a monosyllabic or near-monosyllabic noun when used as a product name, though the word may appear in compounds or in savory-food contexts.
nounCatsup is an informal alternative spelling for ketchup, used chiefly in American English. It denotes a tomato-based condiment, typically sweeter and more vinegary. In linguistic terms, it’s a monosyllabic or near-monosyllabic noun when used as a product name, though the word may appear in compounds or in savory-food contexts.
- You’ll often hear a flattened second vowel; ensure you maintain /ʌ/ as a short, closed-mid vowel rather than a centralized schwa. - The /t/ before the /s/ can be over-enunciated; try a light, rapid transition from /t/ to /s/ to avoid a choppy 't-s' blend. - Some speakers replace /ʌ/ with /ə/ (schwa); keep the stressed /æ/ on the first syllable and a clear /ʌ/ in the second. - In fast speech, you may see the /t/ and /s/ merge; practice with slower tempo, then incrementally speed up to preserve the distinct /t s/ sequence.
"I squeezed a bit of catsup onto my fries."
"The label read 'catsup' alongside 'ketchup' on the jar."
"Old cookbooks sometimes call for catsup in tomato sauces."
Say it as ˈkæts.ʌp with a clear first syllable and a short, rounded second syllable. The stress is on the first syllable. Mouth posture: start with the jaw slightly dropped, raise the tongue to the front-alveolar position for /kæts/, then close with a relaxed but rounded lip for /ʌp/. Listen for the short, almost 'uh' vowel in the second syllable. Audio references: You can verify with standard dictionaries or pronunciation tools by searching 'catsup pronunciation' to hear the /æ/ and /ʌ/ contrasts.
Two frequent errors: (1) Treating /æ/ as a broad 'a' like in 'father' leading to /kæːtsʌp/ instead of /kætsʌp/. (2) Slurring the final /p/ into a stop without a brief release, yielding a muted ending. Correction tips: open jaw for /æ/ clearly, then keep lips relaxed and unrounded for /ʌ/, and finish with a crisp bilabial stop /p/ with a short released burst. Practicing with slow tempo and a final consonant release will fix both issues.
In US English, /ˈkætsʌp/ with rhotic ɹ is not present; /ʌ/ can be slightly centralized in rapid speech. In UK English, some speakers might reduce to /ˈkætsəp/ or /ˈkætsʌp/ with a shorter, less distinct second vowel. Australian speakers typically align with /ˈkætsʌp/ but may slight-tune the /æ/ toward a more centralized vowel in informal speech. Across accents the first syllable remains stressed; the second vowel quality shifts subtly with vowel length and rounding depending on the speaker’s idiolect and vowel space.
The challenge lies in the short, tense vowel in the second syllable (/ʌ/) and the crisp final /p/. Some speakers anticipate the final stop, dropping the release, which weakens the word’s crisp end. Others over-articulate the /t/ in the middle due to unfamiliarity with the sequence /t s/ in quick speech. Mindful articulation—clear /t/ release, precise /s/ before the /ʌ/, and a controlled /p/ release—helps achieve a natural, clipped catsup. IPA guidance helps anchor the mouth positions.
Unlike longer tomato-condiment words, catsup is short and ends with a final plosive, which can be tricky in connected speech. The combination of /t/ and /s/ requires a light, clean release to avoid a slurred /ts/. Also, regional spellings may bias listeners to expect different vowel qualities. Expect listeners to ask about the second syllable vowel and why some pronounce it closer to /ə/ or /ʌ/. Practicing the precise, brisk articulation helps disambiguate the term for listeners.
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- US: Maintain a non-rhotic vowel environment with stiff front vowels; /æ/ in the first syllable tends to be crisp and fronted. /ʌ/ in the second syllable is shorter and lighter. - UK: Might lean toward a slightly more centralized /æ/ and a more clipped /ʌ/; keep it short and punchy. - AU: Often similar to US but with broader vowel space; you may hear a tiny vowel lengthening before final /p/; keep the /æ/ precise and the /p/ released clearly. IPA references: /ˈkætsʌp/ across all three, with minor local allophones depending on vowel space and speech tempo.
Catsup (also ketchup) traces to the Malay word kicap or kicapna, adopted into English in the 18th century via Chinese and Southeast Asian sauces. Early spellings varied widely, including catchup, catsup, ketchup, and catsup as interchangeable forms. The term originally referred to a fermented fish sauce in some languages, later generalized to tomato-based blends in the West. By the 19th century,American producers standardized the term on labels; catsup especially gained traction in the Northeastern United States before ketchup became the dominant form nationwide. The shift from exotic foreign-sauce labeling to a familiar tomato condiment reflects broader culinary globalization and industrial bottling practices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. First known use in English literature appears in the 18th century cookery texts, with stable usage by mid-1800s as mass-produced tomato catsup emerged. Over time, both spellings persisted, with regional preferences: catsup more common in the Midwest and South, ketchup in many other regions and modern branding. The etymology illustrates linguistic adaptation and marketing strategy rather than a single origin point, highlighting cross-cultural contact and commercialization of flavor enhancers.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Catsup" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Catsup" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Catsup"
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