How to Pronounce Hydrochlorothiazide
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Hydrochlorothiazide Pronunciation
hy-droh-klor-oh-THY-a-zyd
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
hy
droh
klor
oh
THY
stress here
a
zyd
7 syllables
What is Hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat edema (fluid retention; excess fluid held in body tissues) caused by various medical problems, including heart, kidney, and liver disease and to treat edema caused by using certain medications including estrogen and corticosteroids. Hydrochlorothiazide is in a class of medications called diuretics ('water pills'). It works by causing the kidneys to get rid
Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Questions About Hydrochlorothiazide
How do you pronounce hydrochlorothiazide?
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Hydrochlorothiazide is pronounced hy-droh-klor-oh-THY-a-zyd. Break it into six syllables, and put the stress on the fourth syllable: thy. So you'd say it like "hy-droh-klor-oh-THIGH-uh-zyd," with that fourth syllable sounding like the word "thy."
What is the most common way people mispronounce this word?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say hy-DROH-klor-oh-thye-a-zyd or hy-droh-KLOR-oh-thye-a-zyd. The correct stress belongs on the "thy" part in the middle of the word, not at the beginning or on the "chlor" part.
Can you break down each syllable for me?
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Sure! Here are the six syllables: hy (rhymes with "hi"), droh (rhymes with "pro"), klor (like "chlor" in chlorine), oh (like the letter O), thy (rhymes with "thigh"), a-zyd (sounds like "uh-zyd"). Say them together smoothly: hy-droh-klor-oh-THY-a-zyd.
Is there a shorter way to say or write this medication name?
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Yes! Hydrochlorothiazide is commonly abbreviated as HCTZ or HCT. You'd just say the letters: H-C-T-Z or H-C-T. Healthcare workers often use the abbreviation in conversation and written notes.
How would I use this word in a sentence?
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You might hear a doctor say something like: "Your prescription is for hydrochlorothiazide, which you'll take once a day." Or: "The pharmacist will fill your hydrochlorothiazide prescription at the counter."
Why is this word so hard to pronounce?
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Hydrochlorothiazide is long and has many syllables strung together, which makes it challenging. The "chloro" part comes from chlorine, and the word combines several parts that each have their own sound, so it takes practice to say smoothly.
What should I focus on to say this word correctly?
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Focus on stressing the "thy" syllable in the middle of the word—that's the most important part. Say the first three syllables quickly and lightly, then hit that "thy" hard, and finish with "a-zyd." With a little practice, it becomes much easier.