How is WhatsApp pronounced in English - briefly?
WhatsApp is pronounced as "What's App". The name is derived from the phrase "what's up", which is a common greeting in English.
How is WhatsApp pronounced in English - in detail?
The pronunciation of "WhatsApp" in English can be broken down into two distinct parts: the contraction "What's" and the word "app."
Firstly, let's consider "What's." This is a contraction of "what is" or "what has," depending on the context. In American English, the pronunciation of "What's" typically follows the pattern of the word "wash," with a short 'a' sound as in "cat." Therefore, it sounds like /wɒts/ or /wɑts/.
Next, we examine the word "app," which is short for "application." In English, this is pronounced with a long 'a' sound, similar to the vowel in "father" or "spa." The consonant 'p' is pronounced as it normally would be. Thus, "app" is /æp/ or sometimes /ap/.
Combining these two parts, we get the pronunciation of "WhatsApp":
- Start with "What's," pronounced /wɒts/ or /wɑts/.
- Follow it immediately with "app," pronounced /æp/ or /ap/.
Therefore, "WhatsApp" is pronounced as /wɒtsæp/ or /wɑtsap/, with the stress typically falling on the first syllable, "What's." This pronunciation is widely accepted and used both in formal and informal contexts.