How to Pronounce Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division

Here’s how to pronounce each of these mathematical operations:

  1. Addition:
  • Pronunciation: /əˈdɪʃən/ (uh-DISH-uhn)
  • Breakdown:
    • The first syllable “uh” is pronounced with a short ‘u’ sound, like the ‘u’ in “cup.”
    • The second syllable “dish” rhymes with “dish” or “wish.”
    • The third syllable “uhn” is pronounced like the word “un” or “uhn.”
  • When spoken together, “addition” emphasizes the second syllable, with a short ‘i’ sound followed by “dish.”
  1. Subtraction:
  • Pronunciation: /səbˈtrækʃən/ (suhb-TRAK-shuhn)
  • Breakdown:
    • The first syllable “suhb” is pronounced with a short ‘u’ sound, like the ‘u’ in “submarine.”
    • The second syllable “trak” rhymes with “track” or “back.”
    • The third syllable “shuhn” is pronounced like the word “shun” or “shuhn.”
  • When spoken together, “subtraction” emphasizes the second syllable, with a short ‘a’ sound followed by “trak.”
  1. Multiplication:
  • Pronunciation: /ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən/ (muhl-tuh-plih-KAY-shuhn)
  • Breakdown:
    • The first syllable “muhl” is pronounced with a short ‘u’ sound, like the ‘u’ in “mud.”
    • The second syllable “tuh” is pronounced like the word “tuh” or “tuh.”
    • The third syllable “plih” rhymes with “fly” or “cry.”
    • The fourth syllable “kay” is pronounced like the letter “k” or “kay.”
    • The fifth syllable “shuhn” is pronounced like the word “shun” or “shuhn.”
  • When spoken together, “multiplication” emphasizes the third syllable, with a short ‘i’ sound followed by “plih.”
  1. Division:
  • Pronunciation: /dɪˈvɪʒən/ (dih-VIZH-uhn)
  • Breakdown:
    • The first syllable “dih” is pronounced with a short ‘i’ sound, like the ‘i’ in “dig.”
    • The second syllable “vizh” rhymes with “fish” or “wish.”
    • The third syllable “uhn” is pronounced like the word “un” or “uhn.”
  • When spoken together, “division” emphasizes the second syllable, with a short ‘i’ sound followed by “vizh.”

These pronunciations may vary slightly depending on regional accents, but these guidelines should provide a clear and accurate way to pronounce each term.