Learn How to Pronounce pay

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pay

Definition:

(nou) something that remunerates

Phonetic Transcription:

peɪ

Examples:

The attendee did not pay the fee.

His car stopped at a tollbooth to pay the fee.

The show was fascinating enough to pay expensive admission fee.

Learn more about:
pay

Related Words:

fee

charge

cost

How to perfect your pronunciation of: pay

Learn Individual Sounds

Break pay down into individual sounds such as peɪ. 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 pay pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "pay" with a short vowel sound, similar to "pet". This is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is /peɪ/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on elongating the vowel sound to achieve the correct pronunciation.
Ignoring the diphthong: A common error is to pronounce "pay" as a single vowel, missing the diphthong /eɪ/. This can lead to misunderstanding. Tip: Practice by saying "day" and "say" to get comfortable with the diphthong sound.
Overemphasizing the "p": Some speakers place too much emphasis on the "p" sound in "pay", making it sound harsh. The correct stress is on the vowel sound. Tip: Lightly touch the "p" and let the vowel sound take the lead.
Confusing "pay" with "pie": Learners sometimes confuse "pay" with "pie" due to similar sounds. "Pie" is pronounced /paɪ/. Tip: Distinguish between them by focusing on the vowel sounds; "pay" has the diphthong /eɪ/, while "pie" has /aɪ/.
Neglecting the final sound: Some may drop the final sound in "pay", making it sound incomplete. The final sound /eɪ/ should be clear and distinct. Tip: Practice saying "pay" in isolation to ensure the ending sound is pronounced fully.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "pay" in American English?

In American English, "pay" is pronounced as /peɪ/ with a single syllable. The vowel sound is a diphthong, starting with an "e" sound and gliding to a "y" sound.

What is the British pronunciation of "pay"?

In British English, "pay" is also pronounced /peɪ/, so the pronunciation is the same as in American English. The stress remains on the single syllable, making it easy to say in both dialects.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "pay"?

A common mistake is to mispronounce "pay" as /pæ/ or /peɪə/, adding an extra vowel sound at the end. Remember, "pay" should only have one clear syllable, pronounced /peɪ/.

Does "pay" have any homophones?

Yes, "pay" has a homophone: "pay" and "payee" can sound similar in rapid speech, but they have different meanings. It's important to emphasize the context to avoid confusion.