2 syllables: christ, ine. Stress on ine.
kris-TEEN
/kɹɪˈstin/
christine is pronounced kris-TEEN (/kɹɪˈstin/). It has two syllables (christ-ine), with the stress on "ine". Christine is a proper name, commonly a feminine given name, and can also appear as a surname. It functions as a label for individuals and fictional characters, often in intimate or public contexts. The pronunciation emphasizes a single stressed syllable, while the surrounding phonemes are crisp and clear, yielding a concise, friendly, and easily recognized name in conversation.
Christine is a proper name, commonly a feminine given name, and can also appear as a surname. It functions as a label for individuals and fictional characters, often in intimate or public contexts. The pronunciation emphasizes a single stressed syllable, while the surrounding phonemes are crisp and clear, yielding a concise, friendly, and easily recognized name in conversation.
"I met Christine at the conference yesterday and she gave a great presentation."
"Christine requested a coffee after the meeting, and we chatted about the project."
"In the novel, Christine plays a pivotal role in the protagonist's journey."
Christine is pronounced /ˈkraɪstiːn/. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: 'CRY' as in cry, followed by 'st' and then a long 'een' as in seen. So it sounds like 'CRY-steen'. Tip: end with a clear alveolar nasal /n/. Reference: IPA /ˈkraɪstiːn/ for US, UK, and AU generally align closely, with minor vowel quality variation.
Common errors include reducing the /iː/ to a short /i/ (making it sound like 'Christine' with a shorter vowel) and misplacing the stress (saying /kraɪˈstiːn/ or /ˈkraɪstɪn/). To correct: keep /iː/ long and ensure the primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈkraɪstiːn/. Also avoid palatalization of the /t/ into a y-like sound; keep it a clean /t/ followed by /iːn/.
Across US/UK/AU, Christine generally uses the same syllable structure /ˈkraɪstiːn/. The differences are minor: US tends to have a slightly brighter /aɪ/ diphthong and a crisper /t/; UK may show a marginally tighter /ɪ/ in the second syllable and less rhoticity, though Christine is not typically rhotic-critical. Australian tends toward a slightly broader vowel quality in /aɪ/ and a non-velarized /t/. Overall, the pronunciation remains intelligible across accents.
The difficulty lies in the early cluster /ˈkraɪs-/ where the sequence moves quickly from /aɪ/ to /s/ before the /t/. Attention to the crisp /t/ and the long /iː/ in the final syllable is essential. Non-native speakers often shorten the vowel or misplace the stress, turning /ˈkraɪstiːn/ into /ˈkreɪstiːn/ or /ˈkraɪstɪn/. Focus on lengthening the final /iː/ and maintaining the /s/ before /t/ to avoid a laxer blend.
A key unique point is the exact vowel length of the final /iːn/. The ending is not a quick 'een' but a sustained /iː/ followed by nasal /n/. Ensure you don’t reduce to a schwa in the second syllable; keep /stiːn/ intact. Also, the /r/ is not strongly pronounced in non-rhotic accents before the /t/, so you’ll hear a light or silent /r/ in some British varieties, but American speakers typically maintain a clear /r/ depending on regional rhoticity.
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Christine derives from the Greek word christos meaning 'anointed one's; Christ' via Old French Christine and Latin Christina, feminine of Christianus. It appeared in medieval Europe as a form of Christian name associated with the Christian faith. The root christ- is attested in Latin Christos and Greek Christos. The given-name usage spread through Christian communities, with the suffix -ine forming feminine variants in French and English. The earliest known use of Christina in Latin ecclesiastical writings dates to late antiquity, while Christine in English-speaking regions emerged in the Middle Ages as a direct adaptation of Christina/Christina, often Latinized as Cristinus or Cristine in records. By the 16th–17th centuries, Christine became common in Britain and later in North America, sustaining popularity into modern times with many notable bearers across culture and literature. Etymologically, the name ties to the concept of being 'someone who bears Christ' through faith, and over centuries has retained its identity as a classic feminine given name.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "christine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "christine" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "christine"
-ine sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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