Learn How to Pronounce hi

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Definition:

(nou) an expression of greeting (nou) a state in the United States in the central Pacific on the Hawaiian Islands

Phonetic Transcription:

haɪ

Learn more about:
hi

Related Words:

yeah

yes

How to perfect your pronunciation of: hi

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Pick an Accent

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Common mistakes of hi pronunciation

Incorrect vowel sound: Some learners mispronounce "hi" with a longer vowel sound, saying "hii" instead of the correct short sound /haɪ/. Tip: Focus on producing the diphthong quickly without elongating it.
Missing aspiration: A common mistake is not aspirating the initial "h" sound, making it sound like "i." The correct pronunciation starts with a clear /h/. Tip: Practice by exhaling slightly before saying "hi" to emphasize the "h."
Overemphasis on the "i": Some speakers stress the "i" too much, making it sound unnatural. The correct stress is on the entire word, pronounced /haɪ/. Tip: Say "hi" in a relaxed tone to maintain a natural flow.
Confusing with "high": Learners might confuse "hi" with "high," leading to mispronunciation. Both words sound the same, but context matters. Tip: Remember that "hi" is a greeting, while "high" refers to altitude.
Dropping the "h": A frequent error is omitting the "h," pronouncing it as "i." This changes the meaning entirely. Tip: Ensure you start with a strong /h/ sound to avoid confusion.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "hi" in English?

The word "hi" is pronounced as /haɪ/ in both American and British English. It has one syllable and the vowel sound is a diphthong, which means it starts with an "h" sound followed by a glide from "a" to "i."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "hi" between American and British English?

No, there is no significant difference in the pronunciation of "hi" between American and British English. Both use the same IPA notation /haɪ/ and stress pattern.

What is the stress pattern for the word "hi"?

The word "hi" has primary stress on the single syllable, indicated as /ˈhaɪ/. Since it only has one syllable, there are no other stressed or unstressed syllables to consider.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "hi"?

A common mistake is to pronounce "hi" as /hɪ/ instead of /haɪ/. This can lead to confusion with other words like "hi" and "he," which have different vowel sounds.