Learn How to Pronounce famine
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How to pronounce:
famine
Definition:
(nou) an acute insufficiency (nou) a severe shortage of food (as through crop failure) resulting in violent hunger and starvation and death
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈfæmɪn
Examples:
It was the worst famine of the century.
The famine was the fault of the government.
It is the definitive account of the famine years.
Learn more about:famine
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: famine
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Common mistakes of famine pronunciation
- Misplacing stress: Many learners stress the second syllable, saying "fa-MINE" instead of the correct "FAM-in" (/ˈfæm.ɪn/ in US and UK). Tip: Remember that the first syllable carries the primary stress.
- Incorrect vowel sound: Some pronounce "famine" with a long "a," like "fame," resulting in "FAY-min." This is incorrect as the vowel sound is a short "a" (/æ/). Tip: Practice saying "cat" to help produce the correct sound.
- Adding an extra syllable: It's common to hear "famine" pronounced as "fa-mi-ne," creating an unnecessary third syllable. The correct pronunciation has only two syllables: "FAM-in." Tip: Focus on blending the syllables smoothly.
- Overemphasizing the "n": Some speakers pronounce "famine" as "fam-in" with a strong "n" sound, making it sound unnatural. The correct pronunciation is softer, with a subtle "n." Tip: Listen to native speakers to hear the difference.
- Confusing with similar words: Learners sometimes mix "famine" with "feminine," leading to mispronunciation. "Famine" has a different vowel sound and stress. Tip: Pay attention to the context and practice each word separately.