Learn How to Pronounce mystery

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

mystery

Definition:

(nou) something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained (nou) a story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈmɪstəri

Examples:

Felicity and friends need to solve the mystery.

The gang decides to solve the mystery about the ghost.

The object of the game is to solve the mystery of what really happened.

Learn more about:
mystery

Related Words:

problem

solve

How to perfect your pronunciation of: mystery

Learn Individual Sounds

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

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say mystery in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

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.

Record Yourself

Say mystery in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with mystery.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of mystery pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "mys-TER-y" instead of "MYS-ter-y". This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable, as indicated by the IPA: /ˈmɪs.tər.i/ (US), /ˈmɪs.tə.ri/ (UK).
Overlooking the vowel sounds: Some may pronounce "mystery" with a long "i" sound, saying "mys-try". This alters the word's meaning. Tip: Focus on the short "i" sound in the first syllable, as in /ˈmɪs/.
Ignoring the "y" sound: A common mistake is to drop the "y" sound at the end, pronouncing it as "mis-ter". This makes the word incomplete. Tip: Ensure to articulate the "y" sound clearly, as in /i/, at the end of "mystery".
Confusing it with similar words: Learners often confuse "mystery" with "mystic", leading to incorrect pronunciation. This can change the context. Tip: Pay attention to the syllable structure and stress, focusing on /ˈmɪs.tər.i/ for "mystery" versus /ˈmɪs.tɪk/ for "mystic".
Blending syllables improperly: Some may blend the syllables too closely, saying "mis-tree". This can make it sound like a different word. Tip: Clearly separate the syllables, pronouncing it as /ˈmɪs.tər.i/, ensuring each part is distinct.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "mystery"?

In American English, "mystery" is pronounced as /ˈmɪstəri/, with the stress on the first syllable. In British English, it is pronounced the same way, but some may emphasize the second syllable slightly more, resulting in /ˈmɪstəri/ as well.

What are the syllables in the word "mystery"?

The word "mystery" has three syllables: "mys", "te", and "ry". The first syllable, "mys", is stressed, while the other two are unstressed.

Is there a schwa sound in "mystery"?

Yes, the second syllable of "mystery" contains a schwa sound, represented as /ə/. This makes the pronunciation smoother and quicker in casual speech.

What are common mistakes when pronouncing "mystery"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing it as /ˈmɪstəri/, which can sound unnatural. Remember to keep the stress on the first syllable to sound more fluent.