Learn How to Pronounce century

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century

Definition:

(nou) a period of 100 years (nou) ten 10s

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈsentʃəri

Examples:

By the first half of the 18th century the concept of the.

But in the second half of the 19th century the settlement was deserted.

He was born in the second half of the twentieth century.

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century

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: century

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Common mistakes of century pronunciation

  1. Misplacing stress: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "cen-ˈtur-y". This is wrong; the correct stress is on the first syllable: "ˈsen-tʃər-i". Tip: Focus on emphasizing the "sen" part.
  2. Incorrect vowel sound: Some pronounce "century" with an "e" as in "see", resulting in "ˈsen-tʃuri". The correct vowel sound is a short "e": "ˈsen-tʃər-i". Tip: Practice the "e" sound as in "bed" for accuracy.
  3. Overemphasizing the "t": A common mistake is to make the "t" sound too strong, saying "sen-ˈtʃur-y". However, in "century", it should be softer, as in "ˈsen-tʃər-i". Tip: Keep the "t" light to maintain fluidity.
  4. Skipping the last syllable: Some speakers omit the final "y", pronouncing it as "ˈsen-tʃər". This leaves out an important part of the word. Tip: Always pronounce all syllables to ensure clarity.
  5. Confusing with similar words: Learners sometimes mix "century" with "cent" or "sentry", leading to mispronunciations. "Century" is pronounced "ˈsen-tʃər-i". Tip: Practice saying each word distinctly to avoid confusion.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "century" in American English?

In American English, "century" is pronounced as /ˈsɛn.tʃər.i/ with the primary stress on the first syllable. The "cen" sounds like "sen," the "tur" is pronounced like "cher," and the final "y" is pronounced as a long "ee" sound.

What is the British pronunciation of "century"?

In British English, "century" is pronounced as /ˈsɛn.tʃʊə.ri/ with the primary stress still on the first syllable. The key difference is in the second syllable, where the "tur" sounds like "tchur" with a schwa sound, making it slightly different from the American version.

How many syllables are in the word "century"?

The word "century" has three syllables: "cen," "tur," and "y." It is pronounced as /ˈsɛn.tʃər.i/ in American English and /ˈsɛn.tʃʊə.ri/ in British English, both having the same syllable count.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "century"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing it as "cen-ture" with only two syllables. Ensure you stress the first syllable and pronounce all three syllables clearly for accuracy.
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