Learn How to Pronounce shark

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shark

Definition:

(nou) any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales (nou) a person who is ruthless and greedy and dishonest (nou) a person who is unusually skilled in certain ways

Phonetic Transcription:

ʃɑːk

Examples:

The image below the whale shark is credited to the Georgia Aquarium.

The shark grins at the camera.

The toy is a remold of the shark.

Learn more about:
shark

Related Words:

marine

whale

How to perfect your pronunciation of: shark

Learn Individual Sounds

Break shark down into individual sounds such as ʃɑːk. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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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 shark pronunciation

Misplacing the "h": Some learners pronounce "shark" as "sark," dropping the "h" sound. This can confuse listeners. Tip: Remember to pronounce the "h" clearly, as in /ʃɑrk/ (US) or /ʃɑːk/ (UK).
Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is pronouncing "shark" with a short vowel, sounding like "shurk." This changes the word completely. Tip: Focus on the long "a" sound, /ɑ/ in US and /ɑː/ in UK, to get it right.
Overemphasizing the "k": Some people stress the "k" too much, making "shark" sound like "sharkk." This can sound unnatural. Tip: Keep the "k" soft and quick, without extra emphasis, to maintain a smooth pronunciation.
Adding an extra syllable: Some might say "shar-k" instead of "shark," adding an unnecessary syllable. This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Practice saying "shark" as a single syllable, focusing on blending the sounds smoothly.
Confusing "sh" with "s": A few learners pronounce "shark" as "sark," substituting "sh" for "s." This alters the meaning entirely. Tip: Practice the "sh" sound /ʃ/, which is softer and requires the tongue to be positioned differently than for "s."

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "shark" in American English?

In American English, "shark" is pronounced as /ʃɑrk/, with the stress on the single syllable. The "sh" sound is like in "shoe," and the "ar" is pronounced like the "ar" in "car."

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

In British English, "shark" is pronounced as /ʃɑːk/, where the vowel sound is longer. The primary stress remains on the first syllable, but the vowel sound changes slightly to a more open "ah" sound.

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

The word "shark" has one syllable, making it a monosyllabic word. It consists of the initial consonant cluster "sh," followed by the vowel "ar," and ends with the consonant "k."

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "shark"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing "shark" with a schwa sound, resulting in something like /ʃərk/. This can happen due to regional accents or unfamiliarity with the word, but the correct pronunciation has a clear "ar" sound.