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harder

Phonetic Transcription:

hɑːd

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harder

Related Words:

difficult

strong

How to perfect your pronunciation of: harder

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Common mistakes of harder pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "hard-er" instead of the correct "har-der" /ˈhɑrdər/ (US) /ˈhɑːdə/ (UK). Tip: Focus on stressing the first syllable to pronounce "harder" correctly.
Overemphasizing the "r": Some speakers tend to overly articulate the "r" in "harder," making it sound unnatural. The correct pronunciation is /ˈhɑrdər/ (US) and /ˈhɑːdə/ (UK) with a softer "r." Tip: Relax your tongue and pronounce "r" lightly.
Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is pronouncing the "a" in "harder" as a short vowel, resulting in "huh-der." The correct vowel sound is the open back "a" /ɑː/ (UK) or /ɑ/ (US). Tip: Practice saying "hard" before adding "er."
Dropping the "d": Some learners may omit the "d" sound, pronouncing it as "harer." This alters the meaning and clarity. The correct pronunciation includes the "d" sound: /ˈhɑrdər/ (US) and /ˈhɑːdə/ (UK). Tip: Emphasize the "d" to maintain clarity in "harder."
Confusing with "hard": Some speakers confuse "harder" with "hard," failing to articulate the "er" ending. The correct form is /ˈhɑrdər/ (US) and /ˈhɑːdə/ (UK) with a distinct ending. Tip: Practice saying both words in contrast to hear the difference.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "harder" in American English?

In American English, "harder" is pronounced as /ˈhɑrdər/. The first syllable is stressed, sounding like "hard," and the second syllable has a softer schwa sound, like "er."

What is the UK pronunciation of "harder"?

In British English, "harder" is pronounced as /ˈhɑːdə/. The first syllable is still stressed, but the second syllable is pronounced with a clearer "d" sound rather than a schwa.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "harder"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "HAR-der" instead of "hard-ER." It's important to emphasize the first syllable to sound natural.

How many syllables are in the word "harder"?

The word "harder" has two syllables: "hard" and "er." When pronouncing it, remember to stress the first syllable and keep the second syllable quick and light.