Learn How to Pronounce dour
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How to pronounce:
dour
Phonetic Transcription:
dʊə
Examples:
But generally I'm a bit dour and unsociable.
The wet blanket is stolid, even dour.
Allen was a ruckman and played during a dour period for the club.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: dour
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Common mistakes of dour pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Many speakers pronounce "dour" with a long "o" sound, as in "door" /dɔːr/. This is incorrect. Tip: Remember that "dour" has the vowel sound /aʊ/ in both US and UK pronunciations.
- Incorrect stress placement: Some people incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "do-UR" instead of the correct stress on the first syllable /ˈdaʊər/. Tip: Focus on emphasizing the first syllable to pronounce "dour" correctly.
- Confusing with similar words: "Dour" can be confused with "dour" /ˈdʊər/ in some accents. This can lead to miscommunication. Tip: Be aware of the context and the specific meaning of "dour" to avoid confusion.
- Overemphasizing the "r": Some speakers add an exaggerated "r" sound at the end, pronouncing it as "dourr." This is not standard. Tip: Keep the ending soft and avoid adding extra sounds to maintain the correct pronunciation of "dour."
- Mispronouncing the initial consonant: A common mistake is to pronounce "dour" with a "d" sound as in "dog" /d/, leading to confusion. Tip: Ensure you start with the correct "d" sound /d/ and follow with the right vowel sound /aʊ/.