Learn How to Pronounce ancient

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ancient

Definition:

(nou) a very old person (nou) a person who lived in ancient times

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈeɪnʃənt

Examples:

It is the notion of history in the ancient Near East.

On the ancient history of the direction of the motion aftereffect.

The remnants of the old stocks are still embedded in the ancient oak.

Learn more about:
ancient

Related Words:

history

old

early

How to perfect your pronunciation of: ancient

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Common mistakes of ancient pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as "an-ˈcient". The correct stress is on the first syllable: "ˈeɪn" in both US and UK pronunciations. Tip: Remember to emphasize the "ˈeɪn" sound.
Incorrect vowel sounds: Many say "an-shent" instead of "ˈeɪn-ʧənt". The vowel sound in the first syllable should be a long "a" as in "day". Tip: Practice saying "ane" before adding the second syllable.
Omitting the "t" sound: Some speakers drop the "t" in "ancient", saying "ˈeɪn-ʃən". This leads to a misunderstanding of the word. Tip: Make sure to clearly pronounce the "t" to maintain clarity.
Confusing with similar words: Learners may confuse "ancient" with "agent" due to similar sounds. "Ancient" has a distinct first syllable "ˈeɪn". Tip: Focus on the initial sound "ˈeɪn" to differentiate.
Mispronouncing the second syllable: Saying "an-ˈsənt" instead of "ˈeɪn-ʧənt" is common. The correct second syllable should have a "ch" sound, not an "s". Tip: Practice the "ʧ" sound by saying "cheese" to get comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "ancient" correctly?

The word "ancient" is pronounced as /ˈeɪnʃənt/ in both American and British English. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "ain," which sounds like "ane" in "pain."

What is the syllable breakdown for "ancient"?

"Ancient" has two syllables: "an" and "cient." The first syllable is stressed, making it sound like "ain," while the second syllable has a schwa sound, pronounced as "shənt."

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "ancient"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "AN-cient" instead of "AIN-cient." Additionally, some learners might pronounce the "c" too strongly, forgetting that it is softer in this context.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "ancient" between American and British English?

No, the pronunciation of "ancient" is the same in both American and British English, /ˈeɪnʃənt/. The stress pattern and vowel sounds do not change between the two dialects.