Learn How to Pronounce bear

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Try:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

bear

Definition:

(nou) massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws (nou) an investor with a pessimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price

Phonetic Transcription:

beə

Examples:

Equally dangerous to the boar was the bear.

She was chased by the famished bear.

Learn more about:

bear

Related Words:

How to perfect your pronunciation of: bear

Learn Individual Sounds

Break bear down into individual sounds such as beə. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say bear in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say bear in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with bear.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of bear pronunciation

  1. Mispronouncing the vowel sound: Some learners say "bear" with a short "e" sound, like "bet." The correct pronunciation is /bɛr/ in US and /bɛə/ in UK. Tip: Practice saying "air" to get the correct vowel sound.
  2. Confusing "bear" with "bare": The words "bear" and "bare" sound similar, but "bear" has the /bɛr/ (US) or /bɛə/ (UK) sound. Tip: Remember that "bear" refers to the animal or to carry, while "bare" means uncovered.
  3. Incorrect stress placement: Some might stress the second syllable, saying "be-ar." However, "bear" is a single-syllable word with stress on the first syllable. Tip: Focus on saying "bear" as one fluid sound.
  4. Overemphasizing the "r" sound: Learners may pronounce "bear" with an exaggerated "r" sound, sounding like "beahr." The correct pronunciation has a subtle "r" sound at the end. Tip: Keep the "r" soft and blend it smoothly with the vowel.
  5. Ignoring regional accents: Different English accents may alter the pronunciation slightly. For instance, the UK variant has a more rounded vowel sound. Tip: Listen to native speakers from different regions to understand the variations.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "bear" in American English?

In American English, "bear" is pronounced as /bɛr/ with the vowel sound similar to "air." The stress is on the single syllable, making it straightforward to say.

What is the British pronunciation of "bear"?

In British English, "bear" is pronounced the same way as in American English, /bɛə/. The vowel sound has a slight diphthong, which may sound more like "air" with a hint of "uh."

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "bear"?

A common mistake is pronouncing "bear" with a long "e" sound, like /biːr/. This can confuse it with the word "beer," which has a different vowel sound.

What are some minimal pairs for "bear"?

Minimal pairs for "bear" include "bare" and "beer." These words differ in vowel sounds, where "bare" has a similar vowel to "bear," but "beer" has a long "ee" sound.
Improve your pronunciation with a convenient app anywhere, anytime