Learn How to Pronounce banana

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banana

Definition:

(nou) any of several tropical and subtropical treelike herbs of the genus Musa having a terminal crown of large entire leaves and usually bearing hanging clusters of elongated fruits (nou) elongated crescent-shaped yellow fruit with soft sweet flesh

Phonetic Transcription:

bəˈnɑːnə

Examples:

My favorite fruit is banana.

My favourite fruit is plum, not banana.

The fruit type is a banana that is seeded and inedible.

Learn more about:
banana

Related Words:

fruit

apple

How to perfect your pronunciation of: banana

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Common mistakes of banana pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Many learners place stress on the second syllable, saying "ba-ˈnana". In both US and UK English, the primary stress is on the second syllable, "bə-ˈnæn-ə". Tip: Focus on emphasizing the "næn" sound.
Incorrect vowel sounds: Some might pronounce "banana" with a short "a" as in "cat", saying "bə-ˈkæn-ə". The correct pronunciation uses a more open "a" sound as in "man". Tip: Listen to native speakers to hear the difference.
Skipping syllables: A common mistake is to say "ban" instead of "ba-na-na", resulting in "ˈbænə". This omits the middle syllable entirely. Tip: Practice saying each syllable clearly to avoid this error.
Mispronouncing the final vowel: Some learners pronounce the last "a" as "ay", saying "bə-ˈnæn-ay". In fact, it should sound like "ə", as in "sofa". Tip: Remember to keep the final "a" soft and short.
Overemphasizing the first syllable: Saying "ˈbænana" puts unnecessary stress on the first syllable. The correct stress pattern is "bə-ˈnæn-ə". Tip: Practice saying the word slowly to balance the stress across the syllables.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "banana" in American English?

In American English, "banana" is pronounced as /bəˈnænə/. The primary stress is on the second syllable, "nan."

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

Yes, in British English, "banana" is pronounced as /bəˈnɑːnə/. The primary stress is still on the second syllable, but the vowel sound in the first syllable is slightly different.

What is the syllable breakdown for the word "banana"?

The word "banana" has three syllables: "ba," "na," and "na." Each syllable is pronounced clearly, with the stress on the second syllable.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "banana"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress, often pronouncing it as /ˈbænə.nə/ instead of /bəˈnænə/. Remember to stress the second syllable to sound natural.