When this happens, the term indicates a rearrangement of the main elements in the preceding statement so that they are in the opposite or reverse position. However, if you want to use the most correct and formal version of the term, it should be vice (one syllable) followed by versa (two syllables).įrom its original Latin definition, vice versa means “the other way around.” As a result, it typically goes at the end of a statement and refers back to the statement. In short, you can use both pronunciations for vice versa and it won’t make a difference to most people. In English, you drop the “ee” sound from the original Latin word entirely. For example, the original Latin word rationale has a non-silent “e” on the end, but in English, it is spelled and pronounced “rational” (rash-uhn-uhl). Moreover, most Latin words with a non-silent “e” on the end are adapted to match English pronunciation rules. In Latin, the phrase did feature a two-syllable “vice.” However, the original pronunciation was closer to vice-ee verse-uh. It’s possible that the alternative pronunciation came about because some people wanted to bring the phrase closer to the Latin phrase from which it was derived. As you can see in the INCORRECT pronunciation above, versa does not change, while vice gets an additional syllable. In both cases, the first syllable is stressed.Īlternatively, many people choose to use another pronunciation. Much like the first two syllables in “versatile,” versa sounds like verse + uh. Ironically, versa is not an official English word, yet most people pronounce it correctly anyway. It is pronounced the same no matter how it is used vice simply sounds like “ice” with the letter “V” at the beginning. “Vice” is an existing word in English meaning “sin” or “immoral behavior” (though this meaning does not apply when it is combined with “versa”). You’ll find some sources that claim both options are legitimate ways to say the phrase, but the official pronunciation makes more sense anyway. There are two common ways that people say the term, but only one of them is correct: The correct pronunciation of vice versa is a common point of contention (argument or issue), even among native English speakers.
#Viceversa english how to#
(Prefer to watch this lesson on video? Here’s our full length tutorial on how to use the phrase ‘Vice Versa: its meaning & how to use it): ‘Vice Versa: its meaning & how to use it’:Ĭlick below to listen to a recording of this passage. So, what does ‘vice versa’ mean? What are the origins of the phrase? And finally, how are you supposed to use it in English? We will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at how the phrase is supposed to sound: This is partly due to the fact that “versa” on its own is generally not considered an English word.Īs a result, many English speakers confuse its meaning and usage. Other examples of this in English include, “wanderlust”, originally a German word, and “karaoke”, borrowed from the Japanese language.ĭespite being a pretty common term, it is often misused, mispronounced, and misunderstood in English. Like many English phrases, “ vice versa” is borrowed from another language. Click below to listen to a recording of this passage about “vice versa.”
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