Bridge to Terabithia Cover Image

Bridge to Terabithia

by Katherine Paterson

Start Free Trial

Editor's Choice

What is the correct pronunciation of "Terabithia" in Bridge to Terabithia?

Quick answer:

The correct pronunciation of "Terabithia" in Bridge to Terabithia is "těr-uh-bith-ē-uh." The "ter" rhymes with "bear," "care," and "tear" (as in a rip), the "a" sounds like "uh," "bith" has a short "i" as in "it," and "ia" is pronounced with a long "e" followed by "uh."

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

It is possible that there are multiple pronunciations of the word "Terabithia"; however, I have only ever heard it pronounced one way. The "ter" section of the word pronounces the vowel in a way that would rhyme with "bear," "care," "tare," and "tear" (as in a rip in a piece of paper). The "a" after "ter" is pronounced with a short "a," which would sound like the filler word "uh." "Bith" pronounces the "i" in a the same way that it would be pronounced in common words like "it" and "pit." The "ia" at the end could be confusing. Each letter is going to be pronounced in the word, so those two letters each have a syllable in the word. The "i" is a long "e." This makes the double "e" sound like in the word "bee." The final "a" of the word is pronounced exactly the same way as the previous "a."

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial