ELI5. What do you call those weird letters that show up when you google a word?

Question

For example, I googled the word conspicuous. And under the header there was this: /kənˈspɪkjʊəs/. What are these called and how do you read them?

In: 7

Answer 1

Those symbols are known as the [International Phonetic Alphabet.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet) They are used to describe how a word is pronounced.

[This site](https://www.internationalphoneticalphabet.org/ipa-sounds/ipa-chart-with-sounds/) can help you with the sounds of those symbols.

Answer 2

Those symbols are known as the [International Phonetic Alphabet.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet) They are used to describe how a word is pronounced.

[This site](https://www.internationalphoneticalphabet.org/ipa-sounds/ipa-chart-with-sounds/) can help you with the sounds of those symbols.