Learn How to Pronounce pour

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How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

pour

Phonetic Transcription:

pɔː

Examples:

You should pour the water into the filter.

He ordered the people to pour water abundantly on the wood.

A quick way to decontaminate the eyes is to pour salt water into them.

Learn more about:
pour

Related Words:

water

liquid

How to perfect your pronunciation of: pour

Learn Individual Sounds

Break pour down into individual sounds such as pɔː. 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 pour pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Many learners pronounce "pour" with an incorrect vowel sound, often saying /pɔːr/ in UK English or /pɔr/ in US English. Tip: Focus on the "ou" sound, which should be pronounced as /ɔː/ in UK and /ɔ/ in US.
Overemphasizing the "r": Some speakers tend to overemphasize the "r" sound in "pour," leading to an unnatural pronunciation like "purr." Tip: Keep the "r" subtle and smooth, allowing the vowel sound to take precedence.
Confusing with "poor": Learners sometimes mix up "pour" with "poor," pronouncing both the same way. Tip: Remember that "pour" has a distinct vowel sound, /pɔːr/ in UK and /pɔr/ in US, while "poor" has a similar sound but is contextually different.
Adding an extra syllable: Some individuals mistakenly add an extra syllable, pronouncing "pour" as "pou-er." Tip: Keep "pour" as a single syllable, pronounced as /pɔːr/ (UK) or /pɔr/ (US) to maintain clarity.
Neglecting regional accents: Pronunciation may vary significantly based on accents, leading to miscommunication. Tip: Be aware of how "pour" is pronounced in different regions and practice listening to various English speakers for better understanding.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "pour" in American English?

In American English, "pour" is pronounced as /pɔr/ with a single syllable and a stressed vowel sound similar to "or" in "more." The "p" is pronounced clearly at the beginning.

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

In British English, "pour" is also pronounced as /pɔː/ with a slightly longer vowel sound, which can sound like "paw" in some accents. However, the pronunciation is quite similar overall.

What is the syllable structure of the word "pour"?

The word "pour" has one syllable, making it a monosyllabic word. This means it is pronounced in a single breath without any breaks.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "pour"?

One common mistake is pronouncing "pour" as if it had a schwa sound, which is incorrect. It's important to maintain the clear "or" sound without adding extra syllables.