Learn How to Pronounce rational
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:
rational
Definition:
(nou) an integer or a fraction
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈræʃnəl
Examples:
The truth is the most logical and rational element.
As usual your lugubrious posts defy rational thought and logic.
Learn more about:rational
Related Words:
How to perfect your pronunciation of: rational
Learn Individual Sounds
Break rational down into individual sounds such as ˈræʃnəl. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.
Copy Others
Use the tools above to find out how different people say rational 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 rational in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with rational.
Get a Native Tutor
Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.
Common mistakes of rational pronunciation
- Incorrect stress placement: Some learners place stress on the second syllable, saying "ra-ˈtion-al". This is incorrect; the primary stress is on the first syllable: "ˈræʃ-ən-əl". Tip: Focus on the first syllable to sound more natural.
- Mispronouncing the vowel sounds: The "a" in "rational" is often mispronounced. Some say "ˈreɪ-shən-əl" instead of "ˈræʃ-ən-əl". Tip: Practice the short "a" sound as in "cat" for accuracy.
- Overemphasizing the "t": Some speakers may overly stress the "t" sound, leading to "ra-tion-al" instead of the correct "ræʃ-ən-əl". Tip: Keep the "t" soft and blend it smoothly into the following syllable.
- Skipping the schwa sound: In some pronunciations, the schwa sound in the second syllable is omitted, resulting in "ra-tion-al". The correct pronunciation includes the schwa: "ræʃ-ən-əl". Tip: Remember that the schwa is a quick, relaxed sound, like the "a" in "sofa".
- Confusing with similar words: The word "rational" is sometimes confused with "rationale", leading to incorrect pronunciations. "Rationale" has a different stress pattern: "ˌræʃ-ə-ˈnæl". Tip: Pay attention to context and practice each word separately to avoid confusion.