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began

Definition:

(nou) Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)

Phonetic Transcription:

bɪˈɡɪn

Learn more about:
began

Related Words:

create

start

new

How to perfect your pronunciation of: began

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

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Common mistakes of began pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners place the stress on the second syllable, saying "be-GAN" instead of "be-GAN". Tip: Remember that the stress is on the second syllable in both US /bɪˈɡæn/ and UK /bɪˈɡæn/.
Incorrect vowel sound: Many people pronounce "began" with a long "e" sound, saying "bee-GAN". This is incorrect. Tip: Focus on the short "e" sound /ɪ/ in the first syllable, as in "bit".
Omitting the final "n": Some learners may drop the final "n," resulting in "be-GA". This alters the word entirely. Tip: Always pronounce the final "n" clearly to ensure you're saying "began" /bɪˈɡæn/.
Confusing with "begin": A common mistake is to confuse "began" with "begin," pronouncing them similarly. "Begin" is pronounced with a short "i" sound /bɪˈɡɪn/. Tip: Remember that "began" is the past tense and has a different vowel sound.
Overemphasizing the "g": Some learners may overemphasize the "g" sound, saying "be-GAN" with too much force. Tip: Keep the "g" sound soft and smooth to maintain the natural flow of "began" /bɪˈɡæn/.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "began" in American English?

In American English, "began" is pronounced as /bɪˈɡæn/. The stress is on the second syllable, and the "e" is pronounced as a short "i" sound.

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

Yes, in British English, "began" is also pronounced as /bɪˈɡæn/, similar to American English. The pronunciation remains consistent across both dialects.

What is the syllable structure of the word "began"?

The word "began" has two syllables: "be" and "gan." Each syllable is pronounced clearly, with the primary stress on the second syllable.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "began"?

One common mistake is overemphasizing the first syllable, leading to mispronunciation. Remember to stress the second syllable and pronounce it as /bɪˈɡæn/.