Learn How to Pronounce listen
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How to pronounce:
listen
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈlɪsən
Examples:
You can also use a kind of stethoscope to listen for the noise of the pipe.
All the songs are unbearable to listen to.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: listen
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Common mistakes of listen pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "lis-'ten" instead of the correct "ˈlɪs.ən". Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable in "listen".
- Overemphasizing the "t": A common mistake is pronouncing the "t" as a hard sound, like in "cat". The correct pronunciation is more subtle, as in "ˈlɪs.ən". Tip: Keep the "t" soft and almost silent in "listen".
- Ignoring the schwa sound: Many non-native speakers neglect the schwa sound in the second syllable, leading to "lis-en". The correct form includes the schwa, pronounced as "ˈlɪs.ən". Tip: Practice saying the second syllable lightly with a quick "ə" sound.
- Confusing with similar words: Learners often confuse "listen" with "list" or "lison", mispronouncing it as "ˈlɪst" or "ˈlɪsən". The correct pronunciation is "ˈlɪs.ən". Tip: Focus on the vowel sounds to distinguish "listen" from similar words.
- Vowel length issues: Some speakers pronounce the vowel too short, saying "lisn" instead of "ˈlɪs.ən". The vowel sound should be clear and slightly longer. Tip: Emphasize the "ɪ" vowel in "listen" to ensure clarity.