3 syllables: Tar, ta, rus. Stress on ta.
tahr-TAR-uhs
/tɑɹˈtæɹəs/
Tartarus is pronounced tahr-TAR-uhs (/tɑɹˈtæɹəs/). It has three syllables (Tar-ta-rus), with the stress on "ta". Tartarus (noun) in classical myth is a deep, shadowy abyss used as a dungeon for the wicked and as a primordial pit in cosmic geography. In modern usage it can refer to a hellish, infernal place or state. The term carries weighty, mythic connotations and is often invoked in literary or academic contexts.
nounTartarus (noun) in classical myth is a deep, shadowy abyss used as a dungeon for the wicked and as a primordial pit in cosmic geography. In modern usage it can refer to a hellish, infernal place or state. The term carries weighty, mythic connotations and is often invoked in literary or academic contexts.
- Common mistakes include misplacing stress on the first syllable (tar-TAR-us) and merging the middle vowel, producing tar-TA-rus or tar-TAR-əs without proper crisp /æ/ in the middle. - Another error is not differentiating the second syllable’s /æ/ from the final /ə/ or /əs/, leading to a flat, monotone pronunciation. - Lastly, speakers who approximate with /tɑːˈtæɹəs/ may make the middle consonant too soft, losing the crisp /t/ followed by /æ/.
How to Pronounce Tartarus
"The hero descended into Tartarus to confront the monsters of the underworld."
"Ancient poets described Tartarus as a prison for the Titans and a boundary of the earth."
"In some translations, Tartarus functions as both a prison and a place of punishment."
Pronounce as Tar-TA-rus, with the principal stress on the second syllable: /tɑːrˈtærəs/ (US/UK). The first syllable is open back to low or mid vowel /tɑː/. The middle syllable carries the strongest emphasis; the final syllable is unstressed. In careful speech you’ll articulate as /tɑːrˈtærəs/ in many accents. An audio exemplar from standard dictionaries will show the same pattern; aim for clear separation between syllables and even tempo: tar-TAR-us.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable as tar-TA-rus; (2) Flattening the middle vowel so it sounds like /tɑːrˈtæɹəs/; (3) Slurring the final -us into -us without vowel clarity. Correction tips: stress the second syllable firmly, keep the middle /æ/ crisp, and maintain a short, unstressed final /əs/ (or /ərəs/ in rhotic accents). Practice with elongated middle vowel or a light schwa in the final syllable to ensure natural rhythm.
In US English, you’ll hear /tɑːrˈtærəs/ with rhotic /r/ and clear syllabic breaks; UK typically /tɑːˈtɑːrəs/ with non-rhoticity affecting the final r and a slightly longer middle vowel, but many speakers still retain /r/ in careful speech. Australian may fall between US and UK, often /tɑːˈtæɹəs/ or /tɑːˈtæːrəs/, with broad vowel quality. The key differences are rhoticity (US/AU more rhotic than some UK variants) and vowel length/quality in the first and second syllables. Use IPA references to verify local norms.
Two main challenges: the multi-syllabic rhythm with a stressed second syllable, and the mid-vowel shift in the second syllable /tær/. The sequence -tar- + -ras requires precise articulation of /t/ + /ɑː/ + /r/ + /t/ + /æ/ + /rə/ (or /əs/). The final unstressed -us/ -əs reduces to a quick schwa, which can blur. Practice with deliberate, slow repetition: tar-TAR-us, then speed up while preserving the middle vowel and final light schwa. IPA cues help anchor the mouth positions.
Tartarus has a distinct second-syllable stress and a crisp middle vowel not found in many Greek-derived terms. The combination /tɑːrˈtærəs/ places emphasis on the second syllable and requires a pronounced /r/ after the first vowel, which can trip beginners who expect a softer /ræ/ or /ər/. Also, the ending -us is often reduced; keeping a light, final schwa helps natural rhythm and prevents an abrupt stop. This specificity makes Tartarus memorable and properly intelligible in scholarly speech.
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- In US: rhotic /r/, clear /t/ sounds and stress on the second syllable. Keep the middle /æ/ bright and the final /əs/ lightly reduced. - UK: often non-rhotic; stress remains on the second syllable. The final -us tends to be reduced to /əs/ or /ɨs/ depending on the speaker. - AU: tends toward a blend of US and UK; keep a crisp /t/ and mid-vowel /æ/ with a light, non-stressed final /əs/. IPA references: /tɑːrˈtærəs/ (US), /tɑːˈtærəs/ (UK), /tɑːˈtæɹəs/ (AU)
Tartarus comes from ancient Greek Τάρταρος (Tártaros), a primal pit in the underworld where the Titans were imprisoned after their defeat by the Olympian gods. In Hesiod and Homeric works, Tartaros is depicted as both a geographic region of the underworld and a defiled, abyssal void. The term likely derives from Proto-Indo-European roots related to confinement and darkness, connected with words for “to lock,” “to press,” or “darkness.” In later Roman adaptations, Tartarus retained its sense of an ominous pit or prison, often intertwined with Hades as a domain of punishment rather than a merely mythic chasm. In modern literature, Tartarus is invoked as a powerful metaphor for extreme punishment, existential dread, or an inescapable moral fate. First known uses appear in classical Greek poetry and early Hellenistic literature, with persistent, evolving semantics about punishment, imprisonment, and cosmic geography that influenced later mythographies and scholarly discussions about the underworld, mythic geography, and dual roles as prison and pit.
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Words that rhyme with "Tartarus"
-rus sounds
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