Learn How to Pronounce cafeteria
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How to pronounce:
cafeteria
Definition:
(nou) a restaurant where you serve yourself and pay a cashier
Phonetic Transcription:
ˌkæfəˈtɪərɪə
Examples:
But the food in the cafeteria isn't exquisite.
The assemblies were held in the cafeteria.
The students had lunch in the cafeteria.
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Common mistakes of cafeteria pronunciation
- Stress misplacement: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "caf-e-'ter-ia" instead of the correct "'caf-e-ter-ia" (ˌkæf.ɪˈtɪə.ri.ə in UK, ˌkæf.əˈtɪr.i.ə in US). Tip: Focus on placing the primary stress on the third syllable.
- Vowel confusion: Many speakers pronounce the "a" in "cafeteria" as "æ" (as in "cat") instead of "ə" (as in "sofa"). This leads to mispronunciations like "cæf-e-'ter-ia". Tip: Remember to use the schwa sound "ə" for unstressed vowels.
- Missing syllables: A common mistake is to omit the "e" in the second syllable, resulting in "caf-'ter-ia" instead of "caf-e-'ter-ia". This changes the rhythm of the word. Tip: Practice saying all four syllables clearly to maintain the correct structure.
- Incorrect ending: Some learners pronounce the last syllable as "ria" (ˈri.ə) instead of "ria" (ˈrɪə) in UK or "ria" (ˈri.ə) in US. This can confuse listeners. Tip: Pay attention to the "i" sound, ensuring it sounds like "ɪ" in UK or "i" in US.
- Overemphasizing consonants: Some speakers may overemphasize the "t" in "cafeteria," making it sound harsh or clipped. This can lead to "caf-e-'ter-ia" sounding unnatural. Tip: Soften the "t" to blend smoothly with the surrounding vowels.