The word “requiem” is often pronounced incorrectly. Some people say “rek-wee-em” while others say “ree-kwee-em.” The correct pronunciation is actually “rek-wi-em.” The word comes from the Latin phrase “requiem aeternam,” which means “eternal rest.” It is a term used to refer to a mass for the dead or to a piece of music that is composed for such a mass. The word “requiem” is also used in a more general sense to refer to any piece of music that is composed in a somber or reflective style.
The word “requiem” is often used in literature and music. For example, the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote a famous Requiem Mass in D minor. The work is considered to be one of the greatest pieces of classical music ever written. The word “requiem” is also used in the title of the novel “Requiem for a Dream” by Hubert Selby Jr. The novel tells the story of four people who are addicted to drugs. The word “requiem” in the title of the novel suggests that the characters are doomed to a life of suffering and despair. The word “requiem” is also used in the title of the film “Requiem for a Heavyweight” by Rod Serling. The film tells the story of a boxer who is past his prime and is struggling to find a new purpose in life. The word “requiem” in the title of the film suggests that the boxer is doomed to a life of loneliness and despair.
Breaking Down the Syllables
The word “requiem” is a Latin word that has been adapted into the English language. It is pronounced with three syllables, and each syllable has a distinct pronunciation.
The first syllable, “re,” is pronounced like the “red” in the English word “red.” The second syllable, “qui,” is pronounced like the “key” in the English word “key.” The third syllable, “em,” is pronounced like the “um” in the English word “um.”
Here is a table summarizing the pronunciation of each syllable:
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| re | Like the “red” in “red” |
| qui | Like the “key” in “key” |
| em | Like the “um” in “um” |
When you put the syllables together, you get the pronunciation of the word “requiem”: “re-qui-em.”
The Latin Pronunciation
In Latin, “requiem” is pronounced with each syllable receiving equal emphasis. The stress is on the first syllable, “re-“.
Here is a step-by-step guide to pronouncing “requiem” in Latin:
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Re | pronounced like the “re” in “red” |
| Qui | pronounced like the “qui” in “quick” |
| Em | pronounced like the “em” in “them” |
Putting it all together, the Latin pronunciation of “requiem” is “re-kwee-em”.
Soft and Hard ‘C’ in Requiem
The pronunciation of “Requiem” in English depends on the usage of the soft ‘C’ or the hard ‘C’. The difference lies in the placement of the tongue and the flow of air when pronouncing the sound.
Soft ‘C’ (as in “ice”):
When the ‘C’ is preceded by ‘I’ or ‘E’, it typically takes on a soft pronunciation. The tongue touches the roof of the mouth while the air flows over the sides, creating a sibilant sound.
Hard ‘C’ (as in “cat”):
When the ‘C’ is followed by ‘A’, ‘O’, or ‘U’, it generally has a hard pronunciation. The tongue touches the back of the teeth while the air flows directly out of the mouth, creating a more guttural sound.
Here is a table summarizing the pronunciation of “Requiem” based on the vowel that follows the ‘C’:
| Vowel | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| I | Soft ‘C’ (as in “ice”) |
| E | Soft ‘C’ (as in “ice”) |
| A | Hard ‘C’ (as in “cat”) |
| O | Hard ‘C’ (as in “cat”) |
| U | Hard ‘C’ (as in “cat”) |
Accurately Shaping the ‘I’ Sound
The ‘i’ sound in “requiem” is a long, diphthongal vowel that begins with the mid-front [ɪ] as in “it” and ends with the high-front [iː] as in “eat”.
To accurately shape the ‘i’ sound, follow these steps:
- Start with your mouth slightly open and your tongue relaxed in the neutral position.
- Raise the front of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth, but not quite touching.
- Spread your lips slightly and pull them back into a gentle smile.
- Vocalize the ‘i’ sound, beginning with the mid-front [ɪ] and transitioning into the high-front [iː].
- Hold the ‘i’ sound for a slightly longer duration to emphasize its diphthongal nature.
Here’s a table summarizing the key steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Neutral tongue position, slightly open mouth |
| 2 | Tongue raised towards roof of mouth |
| 3 | Slightly spread lips, pulled back into a smile |
| 4 | Vocalize [ɪ]-to-[iː] diphthong |
| 5 | Hold ‘i’ sound slightly longer for emphasis |
The Length of the ‘E’ in Requiem
When pronouncing the word “Requiem,” the length of the ‘E’ sound can vary depending on the variety of English being spoken and the speaker’s personal preferences. In some cases, the ‘E’ may be short, as in the word “get,” while in others, it may be long, as in the word “meet.” Let’s explore the different possibilities:
Short ‘E’
In many varieties of English, the ‘E’ in “Requiem” is pronounced with a short sound, similar to the ‘E’ in “get.” This pronunciation is common in American English and some British dialects.
Long ‘E’
In other varieties of English, the ‘E’ in “Requiem” is pronounced with a long sound, similar to the ‘E’ in “meet.” This pronunciation is more common in some British dialects and in formal settings.
Regional Variations
The length of the ‘E’ in “Requiem” can also vary depending on the region where it is spoken. For example, in the United States, the short ‘E’ pronunciation is more common, while in the United Kingdom, the long ‘E’ pronunciation may be more prevalent.
Summary
The table below summarizes the different pronunciations of the ‘E’ in “Requiem”:
| Pronunciation | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short ‘E’ | /”rɛkwɪəm”/ | “get” |
| Long ‘E’ | /”riːkwɪəm”/ | “meet” |
Avoiding Common Mispronunciations
To avoid the most common mispronunciations, follow these tips:
1. Pronounce the “R” Clearly
The “R” in “requiem” is not silent. It should be pronounced clearly, as in the word “right.”
2. Emphasize the Second Syllable
The second syllable, “qui,” should be emphasized. This is the stressed syllable in the word.
3. Pronounce the “EM” as a Schwa
The “EM” at the end of the word should be pronounced as a schwa, which is a neutral vowel sound. It should not be pronounced like the “EM” in the word “them.”
4. Pay Attention to the “S”
The “S” at the end of the word should be pronounced as a voiced “S,” which means that it should sound like the “S” in the word “rose” rather than the “S” in the word “cat.”
5. Avoid Pronouncing the “QUI” as “KWI”
Some people mistakenly pronounce the “QUI” as “KWI,” but this is incorrect. The “QUI” should be pronounced with a long “E” sound, as in the word “queen.”
6. Do Not Pronounce the “EM” as “UM”
Another common mispronunciation is pronouncing the “EM” as “UM.” This is incorrect. The “EM” should be pronounced as a schwa, which is a neutral vowel sound.
7. Pronunciation Variations
There are several different ways to pronounce “requiem” in English. The most common pronunciation is /ˈrɛkwɪəm/, but some people also pronounce it as /ˈrɛkwiːəm/ or /ˈrɛkwijʌm/. The following table shows the different pronunciations and their corresponding stress patterns:
| Pronunciation | Stress Pattern |
|---|---|
| /ˈrɛkwɪəm/ | RÈ-kwi-əm |
| /ˈrɛkwiːəm/ | REK-wee-əm |
| /ˈrɛkwijʌm/ | REK-wee-yəm |
Contextual Pronunciation in Latin Music
In the context of Latin music, the pronunciation of “requiem” varies depending on the genre and region.
| Genre/Region | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Traditional Mexican music | Reh-kee-eh-em |
| Salsa and merengue | Reh-kee-eh-em or Reh-kee-ehm |
| Catholic liturgical music | Reh-kwee-eh-em |
The pronunciation of “requiem” in traditional Mexican music is influenced by the Spanish pronunciation of “requiem,” which is “re-ki-em.
In salsa and merengue, the pronunciation of “requiem” is often influenced by the African and Caribbean influences in these genres.
In Catholic liturgical music, the pronunciation of “requiem” is typically based on the Latin pronunciation.
Pronunciation Tips for Clear Enunciation
1. Break down the word into syllables: “REQ-ui-em”
2. Focus on the first syllable, “REQ”: Pronounce it as in “request” or “regret.”
3. Pronounce the second syllable, “ui”: Say it like the “e” in “herd” or “error.”
4. Emphasize the final syllable, “em”: Pronounce it like the “em” in “anthem” or “condemn.”
5. Connect the syllables smoothly: /ˈrɛkwɪəm/
6. Practice saying the word slowly at first, then gradually increase the speed.
7. Use a tongue twister to improve your pronunciation: “Quick, requiems, quick!”
8. Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
9. Consult a pronunciation dictionary or online resource for guidance.
10. Engage with native speakers of English to gain practical feedback and improve your fluency:
| Example | Pronounced As |
|---|---|
| Incorrect: “REK-wee-um” | Correct: “REQ-ui-em” |
| Incorrect: “REK-kwim” | Correct: “REQ-ui-em” |
| Incorrect: “REH-kwee-um” | Correct: “REQ-ui-em” |
How to Pronounce Requiem
Requiem is a Latin word pronounced as **”reh-kwee-em”**.
The emphasis is on the second syllable, with the first syllable pronounced similarly to the “re” in “red”. The “i” in the second syllable sounds like the “ee” in “feet”, and the “em” ending is pronounced like the “em” in “them”.
Remember that the “q” in Requiem is silent.
People Also Ask About How to Pronounce Requiem
Is it pronounced "ree-kwee-um" or "reh-kwee-em"?
The correct pronunciation is “reh-kwee-em”, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
What does Requiem mean?
Requiem is a Latin word meaning “rest” or “peace”. It is often used in reference to a Mass or musical composition for the dead.
How do you pronounce Requiem in Spanish?
In Spanish, Requiem is pronounced as **”ray-kwee-em”**. The “ay” sound is pronounced like the “i” in “kite”, and the “em” ending is pronounced like the “em” in “them”.
