Condemnation

Condemnation is pronounced con-DEM-nay-shun with primary stress on the third syllable. IPA: US kənˌdɛmˈneɪʃən; UK kənˌdemˈneɪʃən; AU kənˌdemˈneɪʃən. Start with a stressed deMN segment, then a clear -ay- vowel, ending with -ʃən. Keep your tongue relaxed before the nasal sound and ensure the ending -tion connects smoothly.

Two common errors: misplacing the stress (saying con-DEM-nation with incorrect emphasis) and pronouncing the -n- as a hard, separate syllable or mispronouncing -tion as -tion (shock-ting). Correction: place primary stress on the third syllable -ˈneɪ-; ensure the -ɪə- sound in -neɪ- is a single diphthong rather than two vowels; finish with a weak, quick -ʃən to avoid a choppy ending.

In US, the syllables flow as kən-ˌdɛm-ˈneɪ-ʃən with a stronger schwa in the first syllable. UK tends to a crisper /ˈdem/ with slightly reduced rhotics and a more pronounced -neɪ-; AU mirrors US rhotics but often features a flatter vowel quality and faster rhythm. All share the -ʃən ending; the main variance is stress realignment and vowel quality across dialects.

Because it combines a multi-syllabic stress pattern with a tricky /d-/ cluster early in the word and a two-letter -tion ending that often yields a -ʃən sound rather than a fully pronounced -tion. The diphthong in -neɪ- can be subtle, and speakers may neutralize vowels in rapid speech. Practicing the sequence con- DEM- na- tion helps stabilize the rhythm.

In standard varieties, -tion in condemnation surfaces as -ʃən, a light, palatalized -t- followed by -i- reduced to a schwa and then -n. It’s typically not fully pronounced as -tion; the audio outcome is a soft -ʃən. In careful or formal speech, you might clearly articulate -ʃən; in fast speech, it often sounds like -ʃn̩ or -ʃən.