Learn How to Pronounce cup

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cup

Definition:

(nou) a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle (nou) the quantity a cup will hold (nou) any cup-shaped concavity (nou) a United States liquid unit equal to 8 fluid ounces (nou) cup-shaped plant organ (nou) a punch served in a pitcher instead of a punch bowl (nou) the hole (or metal container in the hole) on a golf green (nou) a large metal vessel with two handles that is awarded as a trophy to the winner of a competition

Phonetic Transcription:

kʌp

Examples:

I had a cup of coffee in the evening.

The ice in the cup is stunning, and all the glass is incredible.

The author ends the story by sipping a cup of bitter coffee.

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: cup

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Common mistakes of cup pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "cup" with a long vowel sound like /juː/ instead of the correct short vowel /ʌ/. Tip: Focus on making the "u" sound short, as in "cut".
  2. Ignoring the final "p": It's common to hear "cup" pronounced with a softer ending, dropping the "p" sound. This can lead to it sounding like "cu". Tip: Practice saying "cup" clearly, emphasizing the "p" at the end.
  3. Incorrect stress placement: Some may stress the wrong syllable, saying "CUP" instead of the correct pronunciation with no syllable stress. Tip: Remember that "cup" is a single syllable word, so there's no need for additional stress.
  4. Overemphasizing the "c": Learners sometimes pronounce the "c" in "cup" too harshly, making it sound like "k" instead of the softer /k/. Tip: Keep the "c" sound light and quick, as in "cat".
  5. Confusing with similar words: Some might confuse "cup" with "cap" or "cab", leading to mispronunciation. The vowel sound in "cup" is distinct. Tip: Practice distinguishing the vowel sounds to avoid confusion.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "cup"?

The pronunciation of "cup" is /kʌp/ in both American English and British English. The vowel sound is a short "u" as in "luck," and it is pronounced with one syllable.

Is there a schwa sound in "cup"?

No, there is no schwa sound in "cup." The vowel sound is pronounced clearly as /ʌ/, which is different from the schwa sound often found in unstressed syllables.

What is the stress pattern for "cup"?

The word "cup" has only one syllable, so it carries the primary stress. In IPA, it is written as /kʌp/, and since it is a monosyllabic word, there are no secondary stresses.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "cup"?

One common mistake is mispronouncing "cup" with a long vowel sound, like /kuːp/. Remember, the correct pronunciation is /kʌp/, using a short "u" sound.