How to Pronounce Hypochondria
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Hypochondria Pronunciation
hy-poh-KON-dree-ah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
hy
poh
KON
stress here
dree
ah
5 syllables
What is Hypochondria?
A condition where a person becomes excessively worried that they have a serious illness, even when medical tests and doctors find nothing wrong. The fear does not go away with reassurance and can take up a large part of a person's daily thoughts. Today, doctors more commonly use the term 'illness anxiety disorder' to describe this pattern of thinking and behavior.
Questions About Hypochondria
How do you say 'hypochondria'?
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Say it like this: hy-poh-KON-dree-ah. Break it into five syllables, and put the stress on the third syllable (KON). It rhymes with words like 'laundry' and 'foundry' at the end.
Which syllable do you stress when saying hypochondria?
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The stress goes on the third syllable: KON. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (HY) or the second syllable (POH), but the correct emphasis is definitely on KON.
What are the syllables in hypochondria?
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There are five syllables: hy-poh-KON-dree-ah. If you say each part slowly and clearly, it becomes much easier to remember and pronounce correctly.
What does the word 'hypochondria' come from?
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It comes from ancient Greek words: 'hypo' means 'under' and 'chondria' refers to the cartilage under the ribs. Ancient doctors thought this condition had something to do with that area of the body, which is why they named it that way.
What is a simpler way to say 'hypochondria'?
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In everyday language, people sometimes just call it 'health anxiety' or say someone is being a 'hypochondriac' (a person who has this condition). These shorter terms mean the same thing and are easier to say in casual conversation.
Are there related words that sound like 'hypochondria'?
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Yes! You'll also hear 'hypochondriac' (a person with this condition) and 'hypochondriacal' (an adjective meaning related to this condition). They all share the same Greek roots and are pronounced similarly, just with different endings.
What is the abbreviation for hypochondria?
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There isn't a single standard abbreviation like you'd see for some medical terms. Medical professionals usually just write out the full word 'hypochondria' or use the shorter term 'health anxiety' in documents.
Can you use 'hypochondria' in a sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: 'The doctor explained that the patient's constant worry about illness was a condition called hypochondria.' This shows how you'd use the word when talking or writing about the topic.