Learn How to Pronounce thirteen

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thirteen

Definition:

(nou) the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

Phonetic Transcription:

ˌθɜːˈtiːn

Examples:

The Camerons are the parents of seven children and have thirteen grandchildren.

It is the second of the thirteen cartoons.

Also, thirteen is the number of the founders of the club.

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thirteen

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: thirteen

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Common mistakes of thirteen pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the "th" sound: Some learners pronounce "thirteen" with a hard "t" sound, like "t" in "top." This alters the pronunciation to /tɜrˈtin/ instead of /θɜrˈtin/ (US) or /θɜːˈtiːn/ (UK). Tip: Practice the "th" sound by placing your tongue between your teeth.
  2. Skipping the vowel sound: A common mistake is to rush through the vowel sound in "thirteen," leading to a pronunciation like /θrˈtin/. This omits the important /ɜː/ (UK) or /ɜr/ (US) vowel sound. Tip: Emphasize the vowel to ensure clarity.
  3. Incorrect stress placement: Some may stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as /θɪrˈtin/. This is incorrect as the primary stress is on the second syllable. Tip: Focus on stressing the second syllable with clarity: /θɜrˈtin/ (US) or /θɜːˈtiːn/ (UK).
  4. Overemphasizing the "teen" ending: Learners sometimes pronounce "thirteen" with an exaggerated "teen," sounding like "teen" in "teenager." This can lead to /θɜrˈtiːn/, which is incorrect. Tip: Keep the "teen" ending smooth and connected to the first part of the word.
  5. Confusing "thirteen" with "thirty": Some might say "thirteen" as /ˈθɜrti/ or /ˈθɜːti/, confusing it with "thirty." This changes the meaning entirely. Tip: Pay attention to the vowel sounds and the initial "th" to differentiate them clearly.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "thirteen"?

The word "thirteen" is pronounced as /θɜrˈtin/ in American English and /θɜːˈtiːn/ in British English. The primary stress is on the second syllable, "teen".

What is the syllable structure of "thirteen"?

"Thirteen" has two syllables: "thir" and "teen". The first syllable contains the vowel sound /ɜr/ in American English and /ɜː/ in British English.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "thirteen"?

Many learners may confuse "thirteen" with "thirty" due to their similar sounds. Remember that "thirteen" has the stressed syllable "teen," while "thirty" has the stressed syllable "thir".

Is there a schwa sound in "thirteen"?

No, there is no schwa sound in "thirteen". Both syllables are clearly pronounced, with the first syllable containing a stressed vowel sound.
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