Learn How to Pronounce friend

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friend

Definition:

(nou) a person you know well and regard with affection and trust (nou) an associate who provides cooperation or assistance (nou) a person with whom you are acquainted (nou) a person who backs a politician or a team etc. (nou) a member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)

Phonetic Transcription:

frend

Examples:

A friend of the family provided the sperm, and the couple used equipment to impregnate the woman.

Learn more about:
friend

Related Words:

couple

family

happy

How to perfect your pronunciation of: friend

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of friend pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "friend" with a long "i" sound, as in "frined". This is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is /frɛnd/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on the short "e" sound.
Ignoring the "r" sound: A common mistake is omitting the "r" sound, leading to "fiend". This changes the meaning entirely. The correct pronunciation includes the "r" sound, as in /frɛnd/. Tip: Practice the "fr" blend to ensure clarity.
Stressing the wrong syllable: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "fri-END". However, "friend" is a one-syllable word, with the primary stress on the first part. Tip: Remember, "friend" has only one syllable.
Overemphasizing the "d": Learners sometimes pronounce "friend" with a strong "d" sound, making it sound like "frien-d". The correct pronunciation is /frɛnd/, with a softer ending. Tip: Practice saying "friend" smoothly to reduce emphasis on the "d".
Confusing with similar words: Some confuse "friend" with "fiend", leading to mispronunciation. "Friend" is pronounced /frɛnd/, while "fiend" has a long "i" sound. Tip: Distinguish between the two by practicing their unique vowel sounds.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "friend" in American English?

In American English, "friend" is pronounced as /frɛnd/, with the stress on the single syllable. The "fr" sounds like the beginning of "fry," and the "i" has a short vowel sound, similar to "bed."

What is the British pronunciation of "friend"?

In British English, "friend" is also pronounced as /frɛnd/, maintaining the same vowel sound and stress pattern as in American English. There are no significant differences in the pronunciation between the two dialects for this word.

Is there a schwa sound in "friend"?

No, there is no schwa sound in "friend." The vowel sound is a clear short "e," as in /frɛnd/, without any reduction to a schwa.

What are common mistakes when pronouncing "friend"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing "friend" as /fraɪnd/, adding a diphthong sound that is not present. Another error is failing to pronounce the "r" clearly, which can lead to confusion with words like "find."