Learn How to Pronounce maybe

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maybe

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈmeɪbiː

Examples:

Maybe he was precocious or maybe the date is just wrong.

It maybe even the significance of the features.

Learn more about:
maybe

Related Words:

probably

perhaps

How to perfect your pronunciation of: maybe

Learn Individual Sounds

Break maybe down into individual sounds such as ˈmeɪbiː. 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 maybe pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "may-BE" instead of "MAY-be" /ˈmeɪ.bi/. Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable.
Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is pronouncing "maybe" with a short "a" sound, saying "mae-be" instead of the correct "may" /meɪ/. Tip: Focus on the long "a" sound in "may."
Omitting the final "y": Some speakers drop the "y" sound at the end, pronouncing it as "mayb" instead of "maybe" /ˈmeɪ.bi/. Tip: Practice saying the full word to ensure you include every sound.
Confusing with "may be": Learners sometimes pronounce "maybe" as if it were two separate words, "may be" /meɪ bi/. Tip: Remember that "maybe" is a single word with a different meaning and pronunciation.
Adding an extra syllable: Some might mistakenly pronounce "maybe" with three syllables, saying "may-a-be" instead of the correct two-syllable version. Tip: Keep it simple with just "MAY-be" /ˈmeɪ.bi/.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "maybe"?

The pronunciation of "maybe" is /ˈmeɪ.bi/ in both American and British English. The first syllable is stressed, and it rhymes with "day."

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

There is no significant difference in the pronunciation of "maybe" between American and British English; both use /ˈmeɪ.bi/. The stress pattern and vowel sounds remain consistent across these varieties.

What is the schwa sound in "maybe"?

In "maybe," the second syllable contains a schwa sound, represented as /ə/. This sound is unstressed and pronounced quickly, making it sound like "bee" in casual speech.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "maybe"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, such as pronouncing it as /ˈmeɪ.bi/ with equal stress on both syllables. Remember to emphasize the first syllable to sound more natural.