Learn How to Pronounce surprise
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How to pronounce:
surprise
Definition:
(nou) the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you (nou) a sudden unexpected event (nou) the act of surprising someone
Phonetic Transcription:
səˈpraɪz
Examples:
It was a pleasant surprise.
It was a very pleasant surprise.
Crying can be an expression of surprise, fear, or shock.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: surprise
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Common mistakes of surprise pronunciation
- Incorrect vowel sound: Many pronounce "surprise" with an "i" sound as in "see," leading to "sɪrˈpraɪz" instead of the correct "sərˈpraɪz" (US) or "səˈpraɪz" (UK). Tip: Focus on the schwa "ə" sound in the first syllable.
- Misplaced stress: Some speakers incorrectly stress the first syllable, saying "SUR-prize." The correct stress is on the second syllable: "sərˈpraɪz" (US) or "səˈpraɪz" (UK). Tip: Practice emphasizing the second syllable to improve clarity.
- Overemphasis on "r": In some accents, the "r" in "surprise" is pronounced too strongly, which can sound unnatural. The correct pronunciation is softer: "sərˈpraɪz" (US) or "səˈpraɪz" (UK). Tip: Relax your tongue when pronouncing the "r" sound.
- Dropping the initial "s": Some may omit the "s" sound, saying "urprise" instead of "surprise." This changes the word entirely. Tip: Ensure to articulate the "s" sound clearly at the beginning.
- Confusing the ending: A common mistake is pronouncing "surprise" with a long "z" sound, like "surprize." The correct ending is a short "z" sound: "sərˈpraɪz" (US) or "səˈpraɪz" (UK). Tip: Keep the ending crisp and short for accurate pronunciation.