Learn How to Pronounce selfish
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How to pronounce:
selfish
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈselfɪʃ
Examples:
He is selfish and inconsiderate.
She is selfish, domineering, and cruel.
The egotist was a selfish young man.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: selfish
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Common mistakes of selfish pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners stress the second syllable, saying "self-ISH" instead of the correct "SELF-ish" (/ˈsɛl.fɪʃ/ in US and UK). Tip: Remember that the primary stress is always on the first syllable.
- Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is pronouncing the "e" in "selfish" as a long vowel, like "see." The correct pronunciation has a short vowel sound (/ɛ/). Tip: Practice saying "sell" to get the right sound.
- Adding an extra syllable: Some people mistakenly say "self-ish" with an added sound, leading to three syllables. The correct pronunciation has only two syllables: "selfish" (/ˈsɛl.fɪʃ/). Tip: Break the word into two clear parts: "self" and "ish."
- Overemphasizing the "sh" sound: Learners may pronounce the "sh" too harshly, making it sound like "self-ish." The correct pronunciation is softer, as in "fish." Tip: Focus on a gentle "sh" sound for clarity.
- Confusing with similar words: Some might confuse "selfish" with "selfless," leading to mispronunciation. "Selfless" has a different stress pattern: "SELF-less" (/ˈsɛlf.ləs/). Tip: Pay attention to the stress and vowel differences between these words.