Learn How to Pronounce keen
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How to pronounce:
keen
Definition:
(nou) a funeral lament sung with loud wailing
Phonetic Transcription:
kiːn
Examples:
The air is keen and penetrating.
There is a keen jag on the top, and be careful of that.
A leader should have keen insight.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: keen
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Break keen down into individual sounds such as kiːn. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.
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Common mistakes of keen pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "keen" with a short "i" sound, producing something like "kin". This is incorrect; the correct pronunciation is /kiːn/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on elongating the "ee" sound.
- Overemphasizing the "k": A common mistake is to overly stress the initial "k" sound, making it sound harsh. The correct pronunciation is smooth, as in /kiːn/. Tip: Relax your throat and say "keen" gently.
- Confusing with "kin": Some may mix up "keen" with "kin", resulting in a pronunciation like /kɪn/. This alters the meaning completely. Tip: Remember that "keen" has a long "ee" sound, while "kin" has a short "i".
- Ignoring the nasal sound: When saying "keen", some speakers neglect the nasal "n" at the end, making it sound incomplete. The proper pronunciation is /kiːn/. Tip: Ensure you clearly pronounce the "n" to finish the word.
- Adding an extra syllable: Occasionally, learners add an extra vowel sound, pronouncing it as "kee-en". This is incorrect. The word "keen" is one syllable, pronounced /kiːn/. Tip: Practice saying it quickly to maintain the single-syllable sound.