You’re sitting in a coffee shop or maybe a high-level board meeting, and the topic of biodiversity comes up. You want to contribute. You go to mention a specific animal group, but you pause. Is the "c" soft? Is the "ie" a long "e" or a short "i"? Honestly, it’s one of those words that feels like a trap. Most people just mumble through it and hope nobody notices.
Language is weird. How to say species isn't just about phonetics; it’s about navigating the messy intersection of Latin roots and modern English evolution.
Get it wrong, and you feel like a fifth grader. Get it right, and you sound like someone who actually knows their way around a taxonomic tree. The truth is that there isn't just one single "correct" way that everyone agrees on, but there are definitely ways that make scientists cringe.
The Phonetic Great Debate: Spee-sheez vs. Spee-seez
If you look at the Merriam-Webster dictionary or listen to a BBC broadcast, you’ll notice a split. The most common American pronunciation is SPEE-sheez. That "sh" sound comes from the "ci" combo, similar to how we say "ocean" or "social." It’s comfortable. It’s what most of us grew up hearing on Discovery Channel.
But then there’s the "s" version: SPEE-seez.
This one is much more common in British English and among certain academic circles in the U.S. that prefer a "cleaner" Latinate sound. If you’re in London, you’ll hear the "s" sound almost exclusively. In New York, it’s a coin flip.
Does it matter? Not really. Unless you’re around people who get weirdly elitist about "correct" English. Both are technically acceptable, but the "sh" version is definitely the dominant species—pun intended—in North American casual speech.
Why do we struggle with it?
Latin is the culprit. English loves to take Latin words and then beat them into a shape that fits our Germanic mouth-movements. The word species comes from the Latin word for "appearance" or "form." In classical Latin, it would have been pronounced something like speh-ki-ays. Obviously, we don’t say it like that anymore unless we’re trying to summon a demon or we’re a particularly intense history professor.
The "sh" sound (palatalization) happened over centuries. It’s the same reason "action" isn't pronounced ac-ti-on. Our tongues are lazy. We slide from the "ee" sound into the "ee" sound and the "s" gets dragged along for the ride, turning into a "sh."
The Singular vs. Plural Nightmare
Here is where people actually mess up. Forget the pronunciation for a second; let's talk about the grammar.
You’ve probably heard someone say, "That’s a beautiful specie of bird."
Stop. Don’t do that.
The word "specie" actually exists, but it refers to money in the form of coins (like gold or silver). It has absolutely nothing to do with biology. Whether you are talking about one single type of frog or ten thousand types of insects, the word is always species.
- One species.
- Two species.
- A million species.
It’s an invariant noun. If you drop the "s" at the end to make it singular, you aren't being "proper"—you’re talking about literal pocket change. It sounds like a small distinction, but in the world of biology and conservation, saying "a specie" is the fastest way to lose your credibility. It’s a massive red flag.
What about "subspecies"?
Same rule applies. You have one subspecies of tiger (like the Bengal tiger), not one "subspecie." The pronunciation follows whatever you chose for the root word. If you’re a "sheez" person, it’s sub-SPEE-sheez.
Context Matters: When to Use Which Sound
If you’re giving a presentation to a room full of Oxford dons, maybe lean into the SPEE-seez (the "s" sound). It sounds a bit more formal, a bit more "old world." It carries a certain intellectual weight.
For literally everything else—podcasts, casual conversation, teaching a class, or arguing about Star Wars—the SPEE-sheez version is your best bet. It’s less likely to make you sound like you’re trying too hard.
There’s also the "Spee-shiz" variation (short "i" at the end). This is common in rapid speech. It’s not "wrong," it’s just clipped. Most people don’t even realize they’re doing it.
The Secret "C" in Scientific Names
Once you master how to say species, the next level is pronouncing the actual Latin names. This is where everyone—even the pros—basically just guesses.
There is a joke in the scientific community: the correct way to pronounce a Latin name is "with total confidence."
Take Tyrannosaurus rex. We all agree on that one. But what about Coelophysis? Or Ginkgo biloba? (Is it "Ginko" or "Gink-go"?)
Biologists like Carl Linnaeus, who formalized the system of binomial nomenclature in the 1700s, didn't exactly leave a voicemail explaining how to say these words. Generally, we use "Botanical Latin," which is a weird hybrid of traditional Latin, Greek, and whatever language the person who discovered the thing spoke.
The goal isn't to be a linguistic scholar. The goal is to be understood.
Real-World Examples of the Split
Listen to David Attenborough. The man is a legend. He often leans toward the "s" sound, but even he fluctuates depending on the rhythm of the sentence. Now listen to an American narrator like Neil deGrasse Tyson. You’ll hear the "sh" sound.
Neither of them is "wrong."
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Language is a living thing. Just like the organisms the word describes, the word species evolves. If you look at linguistic maps from the mid-20th century, the "sh" sound was much more heavily criticized by "proper" teachers. Today, that criticism has mostly died out because the "sh" sound won the popularity contest.
Actionable Steps for Perfect Delivery
If you want to make sure you never trip over this word again, follow these rules. They are simple, but they work.
1. Pick a side and stay there.
Consistency is key. Don't say "spee-sheez" in one sentence and "spee-seez" in the next. It makes it look like you’re unsure. Choose the one that feels most natural to your accent and stick with it. If you're American, "spee-sheez" is the safest, most natural path.
2. Never, ever use "specie" for biology.
I cannot stress this enough. If you’re talking about an animal, plant, or fungus, there is always an "s" at the end. Write it down. Put it on a post-it note. If you say "a rare specie," someone in the room is judging you.
3. Watch the "ee" length.
The first syllable should be long. SPEEE. If you make it too short, it starts to sound like "specious," which is an entirely different word meaning "superficially plausible but actually wrong." You don't want to accidentally tell someone their argument is a "specious species."
4. Listen to the room.
If you are entering a specific niche—say, a high-end botany club or a specific lab—listen to how the lead researchers talk. Mimicry is a valid social tool. If the boss says "spee-seez," just do that. It’s not about being a "sheep" (another species); it’s about smooth communication.
5. Record yourself.
It sounds cringey, but use your phone to record yourself saying: "There are many different species of birds in this area." Listen back. Does it sound forced? Natural? Fix the cadence until it rolls off the tongue without a hitch.
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The reality is that how to say species depends largely on who you are talking to, but as long as you keep that "s" on the end and speak with confidence, you're going to be fine. Language is meant to bridge gaps, not create them. Don't let a tricky Latin plural stop you from talking about the incredible variety of life on this planet.