Learn How to Pronounce forbidden

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

forbidden

Phonetic Transcription:

fəˈbɪdən

Examples:

The flesh of the donkey was unclean and forbidden by the Law.

The munition is not forbidden under international law.

Use of the munition is not forbidden under international law.

Learn more about:
forbidden

Related Words:

law

How to perfect your pronunciation of: forbidden

Learn Individual Sounds

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

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say forbidden in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say forbidden in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with forbidden.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of forbidden pronunciation

Incorrect vowel sound: Some may pronounce "forbidden" with an incorrect vowel sound, saying /fɔːrˈbɪdən/ instead of /fərˈbɪdən/ (US) or /fəˈbɪd.ən/ (UK). Tip: Focus on the schwa sound in the first syllable.
Misplaced stress: A common mistake is stressing the first syllable, saying "FORbidden" instead of "forBIDden". This changes the emphasis and can confuse listeners. Tip: Practice placing stress on the second syllable.
Omitting sounds: Some speakers might drop the "d" in "forbidden," pronouncing it as "forbin." This alteration can lead to misunderstanding. Tip: Ensure you articulate all the sounds clearly, especially the "d."
Confusing with similar words: People may confuse "forbidden" with "forbidding," leading to incorrect pronunciation. While "forbidden" is /fərˈbɪdən/, "forbidding" is /fərˈbɪd.ɪŋ/. Tip: Remember the different endings and practice them separately.
Overemphasizing the "b": Some might overemphasize the "b" in "forbidden," making it sound unnatural. This can lead to a stilted pronunciation. Tip: Keep the "b" sound firm but not overly stressed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "forbidden" in American English?

In American English, "forbidden" is pronounced as /fərˈbɪd.ən/. The stress is on the second syllable, "bid," which sounds like "bid," while the first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, like "fur."

What is the UK pronunciation of "forbidden"?

In British English, "forbidden" is also pronounced as /fɔːˈbɪd.ən/. The primary stress remains on the second syllable, but the first syllable sounds more like "for" with an open "o" sound.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "forbidden"?

One common mistake is placing the stress on the first syllable, saying "FOR-bidden" instead of "for-BID-den." It's important to emphasize the second syllable to pronounce it correctly.

How many syllables are in the word "forbidden"?

The word "forbidden" has three syllables: "for," "bid," and "den." Each syllable is pronounced clearly, with the second syllable receiving the most emphasis.