Learn How to Pronounce little

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little

Definition:

(nou) a small amount or duration

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈlɪtəl

Examples:

You should relax a little bit.

Assuming he was a little less stingy and gave the army a little raise

They are assuming he was a little less stingy and gave the army a little raise.

Learn more about:
little

Related Words:

small

bit

less

How to perfect your pronunciation of: little

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

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Common mistakes of little pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "lit-LE" instead of "LIT-tle". In both US and UK English, the primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈlɪt.əl/.
Overemphasizing the "t": A common mistake is pronouncing the "t" too strongly, making it sound like "lit-tle". In reality, the "t" is often softened, sounding more like a quick "d" in connected speech, especially in US English.
Neglecting the schwa: Some people skip the schwa sound /ə/ in the second syllable, pronouncing it as "lit-l". Remember, the correct pronunciation includes the schwa, making it "LIT-tle" (/ˈlɪt.əl/).
Mispronouncing the vowel sound: Learners may confuse the vowel sound in the first syllable, saying "leetle" instead of "little". The correct vowel sound is /ɪ/, as in "bit", not /iː/, as in "see".
Dropping the second syllable: Some speakers may pronounce "little" as a single syllable, "lit". This omits the essential second syllable, which is crucial for clarity. Always pronounce it as two syllables: "LIT-tle".

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "little" correctly?

The word "little" is pronounced as /ˈlɪt.əl/ in American English and /ˈlɪt.əl/ in British English. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "lit," which sounds like "lit," and the second syllable, "tle," has a schwa sound, pronounced as "əl."

What is the syllable breakdown for "little"?

"Little" has two syllables: "lit" and "tle." The first syllable is stressed, making it sound more prominent compared to the second syllable.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "little"?

A common mistake is not pronouncing the second syllable clearly, sometimes making it sound like "lit" instead of "lit-əl." It's important to include the schwa sound in the second syllable for correct pronunciation.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "little" in casual speech?

In casual speech, "little" can sometimes be pronounced quickly, sounding more like "l'le" where the "i" is less emphasized. However, it's essential to maintain the clarity of the syllables in formal settings.