3 syllables: Ni, tro, gen. Stress on Ni.
NEYE-truh-juhn
/ˈnaɪtɹədʒən/
Nitrogen is pronounced NEYE-truh-juhn (/ˈnaɪtɹədʒən/). It has three syllables (Ni-tro-gen), with the stress on "Ni". Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N. It is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. In science contexts, it is discussed as a diatomic molecule (N2) and as a key element in biology and chemistry. Its name stems from Greek roots meaning ‘native’ or ‘nitre’ and reflects its historical discovery in nitre-bearing substances.
nounNitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N. It is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. In science contexts, it is discussed as a diatomic molecule (N2) and as a key element in biology and chemistry. Its name stems from Greek roots meaning ‘native’ or ‘nitre’ and reflects its historical discovery in nitre-bearing substances.
- Commonly you may drop the middle syllable or shorten it too much, saying nai- gen or ny-truh-gen. Fix by practicing the middle /trə/ with a light, quick schwa and ensuring the /dʒən/ lands clearly. - Another pitfall is rushing the final /ən/ so it sounds like /ən/ or /ənn/, making it sound like /dʒən/. Practice slow, then speed up while maintaining a soft, almost muted final vowel. - A third mistake is misplacing the primary stress, so you get ni-TRo-gen or na-i-TRON. Always keep the primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/. - Tip: use a mirror to monitor jaw movement; keep the jaw relatively relaxed for the middle /trə/ while keeping a crisp /dʒ/ onset. Record and compare to a reference pronouncing model.
How to Pronounce Nitrogen
"Nitrogen gas is inert under standard conditions and is often used to create an inert atmosphere in laboratories."
"Plants require nitrogen in the form of nitrates to grow, which is a central topic in agriculture and soil science."
"The atmosphere is predominantly nitrogen, yet it is relatively unreactive at room temperature."
Pronounce as /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/ in US and UK English, with three syllables. Start with the long “ny” /ˈnaɪ/, then a soft schwa-like /trə/ and end with /dʒən/. Stress is on the first syllable. If you’re teaching, model slow, then speed up: /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/ → /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/ in natural speech.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying ni-TRÓ-gen), merging the middle syllable too strongly (nai-TRUH-gen), or pronouncing the final consonant as /n/ with a strong plosive. Correct by forcing a clear /trə/ in the middle and a soft, quick /dʒən/ at the end. Practice with slow repetition: /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/ and then natural pace.
US and UK share /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/, but rhoticity can subtly affect the /r/ quality before the schwa in some accents; US speakers often have a darker, rhotic r. Australian English tends to be non-rhotic like some UK varieties, with a slightly flatter vowel in /aɪ/. Overall, the stress pattern stays the same across accents, but vowel qualities and flapping may alter perceived rhythm.
Two main challenges: the /trə/ middle cluster and the final /dʒən/ sequence. The /t/ blends into a /tr/ cluster and the /ɪ/ becomes a quick, lightly pronounced vowel before /dʒ/. The final /ən/ can be devoiced or reduced in fast speech. Slow, deliberate articulation helps: /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/.
The shift from the strongly stressed first syllable to the riser in the /dʒən/ ending is a subtle gesture. Ensure the /dʒ/ begins promptly after /trə/ and the final /ən/ lands softly. Visualize the tongue as: high-glide /ɪ/ toward the /ə/ and then release into /dʒ/ before /ən/; this helps with clarity in rapid speech.
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- US: rhotic accent keeps /r/ sounds more clearly; ensure the /tr/ blend is crisp and the /ə/ is reduced. Pronounce /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/ with a clear, slightly longer second syllable to avoid rushing. IPA: /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/. - UK: often non-rhotic variances; still keep /trə/ as a short, quick vowel; the /r/ in non-rhotic variants may be silent, but in this word the /r/ is not coda; maintain /tr/ onset. - AU: tends to be non-rhotic with a slightly broader vowel; keep /aɪ/ like in “high,” /trə/ quick, and /dʒən/ as a soft ending. IPA references: US /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/, UK /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/, AU /ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən/. - General tip: keep strong initial syllable, moderate middle, and a soft, crisp ending to ensure clarity across accents.
Nitrogen comes from the Greek words nitron (nitre) and genes (producer, begetter), via Latin nitro- and French azote, with English adoption as nitrogen. The term arose in the 18th century during the rapid expansion of chemical nomenclature. Early chemists identified nitrogen as a constituent of nitrates and nitrous substances, and its diatomic form (N2) was established as its most stable gaseous molecule. The word reflects both its association with nitrates (nitron) and the idea of a basic, elemental constituent. Over time, nitrogen’s central role in chemistry, biology, and environmental science solidified, moving from “nitrogen” of mineral origin to a universal, essential element in living systems and industrial chemistry, with its symbol N formalized in the periodic table. First known uses appear in scientific literature of the late 18th century, aligning with advances in gas chemistry and the identification of inert atmospheric components.
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Words that rhyme with "Nitrogen"
-gon sounds
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