Learn How to Pronounce nothing

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nothing

Definition:

(nou) a quantity of no importance

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈnʌθɪŋ

Examples:

There's nothing redeemable to it.

The sentence insinuates nothing.

There is nothing but knavery in the world.

Learn more about:
nothing

Related Words:

none

off

How to perfect your pronunciation of: nothing

Learn Individual Sounds

Break nothing down into individual sounds such as ˈnʌθɪŋ. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

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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.

Record Yourself

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Common mistakes of nothing pronunciation

Dropping the "n": Some learners say "othing" instead of "nothing". This omits the initial "n" sound /n/ in both US [ˈnʌθɪŋ] and UK [ˈnʌθɪŋ]. Tip: Focus on starting with a clear "n" sound.
Mispronouncing the "o": The vowel in "nothing" can be mispronounced as /oʊ/, leading to "noth-ing". This is incorrect; the correct vowel sound is /ʌ/. Tip: Practice saying "nuh" to get the right sound.
Incorrect stress placement: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "no-THING". The correct stress is on the first syllable in both US [ˈnʌθɪŋ] and UK [ˈnʌθɪŋ]. Tip: Emphasize "nuh" more than "thing".
Adding an extra vowel: Some speakers might say "noth-thing", adding an unnecessary vowel sound. The correct pronunciation is a smooth transition between the syllables. Tip: Practice saying "nothing" quickly to avoid adding extra sounds.
Overemphasizing the "th": Some learners may pronounce "nothing" with an exaggerated "th" sound, making it sound like "nuth-ing". The correct "th" is softer, pronounced as /θ/. Tip: Keep the "th" light and blend it with the vowel sound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "nothing" in American English?

In American English, "nothing" is pronounced as /ˈnʌθɪŋ/. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "noth," which sounds like "nuhth."

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "nothing" between British and American English?

Yes, in British English, "nothing" is often pronounced as /ˈnʌθɪŋ/ as well, but the vowel sound in the first syllable may be slightly different, sounding more like "nuhth" with a clearer "u" sound. The overall pronunciation remains quite similar.

What is the syllable breakdown for the word "nothing"?

The word "nothing" has two syllables: "noth" and "ing." You can break it down as /ˈnʌθ/ and /ɪŋ/, with the first syllable receiving the primary stress.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "nothing"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress or not pronouncing the "th" sound clearly, which can lead to confusion with similar words. Make sure to emphasize the "noth" and pronounce the "th" as in "think" for clarity.