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Why "data" sounds different in British English
Standard British pronunciation is /ˈdeɪtə/: "DAY" as in "day", then a clear T and a short schwa. "DAH-tuh" (with a long ah) is also heard in Britain, particularly in technical settings, but "DAY-tuh" is far more common.
American English uses both "DAY-duh" and "DA-duh" (with the vowel of "cat"), and in both the T is tapped so it sounds like a quick D. That tap is what makes American "data" sound American. Keep a crisp T and you are most of the way there.
How to say "data" like a Brit, step by step
- Say day, gliding from "e" towards "ee".
- Release a clean t from behind your top teeth.
- End on a short, neutral uh, no R.
- Stress the first syllable: DAY-tuh.
Practise "data" in a sentence
- The data shows a clear trend.
- We collect very little personal data.
- I'll send you the data later today.
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce data in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, data is pronounced /ˈdeɪtə/, roughly "DAY-tuh". It rhymes with "later", with a clear T in the middle.
Is the American pronunciation of data wrong?
No. /ˈdeɪt̬ə/ or /ˈdæt̬ə/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈdeɪtə/.
Is data singular or plural in British English?
Both are used. Traditionally data is plural (the data are), and that form is still common in academic British English. In everyday British English, the data is is normal and widely accepted.