4 syllables: ex, por, ta, tion. Stress on ta.
ek-spawr-TAY-shuhn
/ˌɛkspɔrtˈeɪʃən/
exportation is pronounced ek-spawr-TAY-shuhn (/ˌɛkspɔrtˈeɪʃən/). It has four syllables (ex-por-ta-tion), with the stress on "ta". Exportation refers to the act or process of sending goods or services from one country to another, typically for sale abroad. It emphasizes outward trade and the movement of products across borders, often as part of a broader export strategy. The term is formal and somewhat technical, commonly used in economics, policy, and business discussions.
Exportation refers to the act or process of sending goods or services from one country to another, typically for sale abroad. It emphasizes outward trade and the movement of products across borders, often as part of a broader export strategy. The term is formal and somewhat technical, commonly used in economics, policy, and business discussions.
- You’ll tend to flatten the second syllable; ensure you give /ɔː/ its full length before the -ta-tion. - Don’t skip the syllabic -n̩ sound; let the -tion stand as its own beat. - Avoid merging the -port- cluster; keep it clean to prevent muddling with “export” vs “exportation.” - Use a brief pause before the final syllable to emphasize the ending without breaking the flow.
"The country’s exportation of agricultural commodities boosted the trade balance."
"New regulations affected the exportation of sensitive technologies."
"Businesses are exploring exportation to diversify markets and reduce domestic risk."
You say it as /ˌɛksˌpɔːtəˈeɪʃn̩/ in US English, with primary stress on the third syllable and secondary stress on the second. Break it into ex-PORT-ation, with a light middle consonant cluster after the /p/ and a clear /eɪ/ in the final stress. Start with /ɛ/ as in 'bet' then /k/ + /s/ blend briefly, glide to /pɔː/ (British and American both use a rounded back vowel). Finish with /təˈeɪʃn̩/ where the -tion is syllabic, sounding like “shn.” Audio references: you can compare with Cambridge or Oxford pronunciations for confirmation.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying ex-PORT-ay-shun or ex-POR-ta-tion; keep secondary stress on the second syllable and primary on the fourth. (2) Slurring the -ation into -n̩, producing /-eɪʃən/ instead of /-eɪʃn̩/. (3) Pronouncing /ɪkˈspɔːtəˈeɪʃn̩/ with a reduced /ə/ in the middle; use a clear mid vowel /tə/ in the penultimate syllable. Corrections: rehearse as ex-POR-ta-tion with careful vowel separation: /ˌɛksˌpɔːtəˈeɪʃn̩/ and pause slightly before the final -tion for syllabic clarity.
US: /ˌɛkˌspɔːrtəˈeɪʃn̩/, with rhotic r and full /ɔː/; UK: /ɪkˈspɔːtəˌeɪʃn̩/, non-rhotic r, shorter /ɔː/ and a more clipped second syllable; AU: similar to UK with slightly broader vowel quality and less rhoticity in rapid speech. Core: primary stress on the penultimate syllable of -ta-tion, but vowel timbre and r-coloring vary. Practicing with both /spɔːr/ vs /spɔːtə/ helps you align to regional expectations.
Two main challenges: the multi-syllable structure with four clear syllables makes rhythm tricky; the /ɔː/ vowel in the middle and the final /eɪʃn̩/ require careful vowel sequencing and a light, syllabic -tion. English learners often misplace stress or reduce the middle vowel. Focus on distinct, crisp vowels and maintain a steady tempo, especially before the final -ation. IPA cues: /ˌɛksˌpɔːtəˈeɪʃn̩/.
A unique aspect is the alternation between a strong staccato onset cluster (ex- /ɛks/) and the elongated, stress-bearing mid-to-late vowels (/pɔː/ and /eɪ/). The sequence requires a controlled release: a crisp /k/ after /s/ and a smooth glide into /ɔː/ before the second stressed syllable; finishing with a light, almost syllabic 'tion' /-tɪn̩/.
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- US: rhotic /r/ after vowels, longer /ɔː/ sounds; ensure /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ in early syllables isn’t reduced. - UK: non-rhotic, so final r is silent; keep the /ɔː/ quality consistent and crisp. - AU: similar to UK but with broader vowel space; maintain clear /ɔː/ and light final -tion rhythm. IPA cues as above; adjust lip rounding and jaw openness to match each accent.
Exportation comes from the French exportation, from late Latin exportatio, which itself derives from ex- (out, out of) + portare (to carry). The spread into English followed medieval trade vocabularies, aligning with other export-related terms like export and exporter. The first known uses appear in 15th–16th century English financial and legal texts as international commerce expanded. Over time, exportation has retained its formal, policy-oriented connotation, distinguishing the act of sending goods abroad from more general “export” as a noun or verb. The nuance centers on outward movement and the resultant economic impact, often discussed within national accounts, trade agreements, and regulatory frameworks. In modern discourse, exportation may also touch on value-added chain considerations, compliance with export controls, and strategic industry focus, but the core meaning remains the outward transfer of goods across borders. Etymological lineage highlights Latin roots (porter) and Romance language influence, continuing to mirror the global systems of trade that shaped early modern mercantilism into today’s liberalized, rules-based trade architecture.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "exportation" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "exportation" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "exportation"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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