Learn How to Pronounce gulf
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How to pronounce:
gulf
Definition:
(nou) an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay (nou) an unbridgeable disparity (as from a failure of understanding) (nou) a deep wide chasm
Phonetic Transcription:
ɡʌlf
Examples:
It was the raid in the gulf of Honduras.
The island of Leyte is to the left of the gulf.
The sites sit in the centre of the gulf.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: gulf
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Common mistakes of gulf pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Many learners pronounce "gulf" with a long "u" sound, like "goof". This is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is /gʌlf/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on using a short "u" as in "cup".
- Ignoring the "l" sound: Some speakers omit the "l" in "gulf", pronouncing it as "guff". This can lead to misunderstandings. The correct pronunciation includes the "l" sound, /gʌlf/. Tip: Emphasize the "l" clearly when saying the word.
- Stressing the wrong syllable: Learners sometimes stress the second syllable, saying "gulf" as if it has two syllables. In fact, "gulf" is a one-syllable word, /gʌlf/. Tip: Practice saying "gulf" quickly to reinforce its single-syllable nature.
- Confusing with similar words: Some people confuse "gulf" with "golf" due to similar sounds. "Golf" is pronounced /gɔlf/ in US English and /gɒlf/ in UK English. Tip: Pay attention to the vowel sounds to distinguish between these words.
- Overemphasizing the final "f": A common mistake is to make the "f" sound too strong, leading to a pronunciation like "gulf" with an exaggerated ending. The correct pronunciation is /gʌlf/. Tip: Keep the "f" soft and natural to sound more fluent.