Learn How to Pronounce christmas

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christmas

Definition:

(nou) period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6 (nou) a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈkrɪsməs

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christmas

Related Words:

gift

winter

How to perfect your pronunciation of: christmas

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of christmas pronunciation

Dropping the "t": Many speakers omit the "t" sound in "christmas," pronouncing it as "chrismas" /ˈkrɪs.məs/. This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Emphasize the "t" by practicing the full pronunciation /ˈkrɪs.təs/.
Misplacing the stress: Some people incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "chris-TMAS" instead of the correct "CHRIS-mas" /ˈkrɪs.məs/. This can make the word sound unfamiliar. Tip: Focus on the first syllable to maintain proper stress.
Vowel confusion: The vowel sound in the first syllable is sometimes mispronounced, with some saying "chris-mas" /ˈkrɪs.məs/ instead of the correct /ˈkrɪs.məs/. This can alter clarity. Tip: Listen to native speakers and mimic the correct vowel sound.
Overemphasizing the "s": Some people may overly stress the "s" in "christmas," leading to a pronunciation like "chris-smas" /ˈkrɪs.səs/. This can sound awkward. Tip: Keep the "s" subtle to ensure a smooth flow.
Ignoring the schwa: The second syllable often contains a schwa sound, leading to mispronunciations like "christ-mas" /ˈkrɪs.mæs/. This can distort the word. Tip: Practice the schwa sound /ə/ to sound more natural in "christmas."

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "christmas" in American English?

In American English, "christmas" is pronounced as /ˈkrɪs·məs/. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "kris," and the second syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, making it sound like "məs."

What is the British pronunciation of "christmas"?

In British English, "christmas" is also pronounced as /ˈkrɪs·məs/, similar to American English. The stress pattern remains the same, with the first syllable emphasized and the second syllable using a schwa sound.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "christmas"?

Many learners mistakenly place stress on the second syllable, saying "kris-TMAS." The correct pronunciation emphasizes the first syllable, so remember to stress "kris" instead.

How many syllables are in the word "christmas"?

The word "christmas" has two syllables: "kris" and "məs." It's important to pronounce both syllables clearly, with the first syllable being the most stressed.