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tricky

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈtrɪki

Examples:

This problem is tricky.

It was the most tricky and precarious part of the duty.

It's tricky separating the lame from the interesting.

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tricky

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: tricky

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Common mistakes of tricky pronunciation

  1. Stress misplacement: Many learners stress the second syllable, saying "tri-'cky" instead of the correct "'trick-y". Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable, as shown in IPA: /ˈtrɪki/ (US) and /ˈtrɪki/ (UK).
  2. Vowel confusion: Some might pronounce the "i" in "tricky" as a long vowel, resulting in "tree-kee". Tip: The "i" should be pronounced as a short vowel /ɪ/, similar to "sit", not as /i:/.
  3. Overemphasizing the "r": Learners sometimes overpronounce the "r" in "tricky", making it sound like "trir-cky". Tip: The "r" should blend smoothly with the preceding "t" sound, keeping it subtle.
  4. Dropping the final "y": A common mistake is to drop the "y" sound, saying "trick" instead of "tricky". Tip: Ensure to articulate the final "y" sound clearly as /i/, completing the word.
  5. Incorrect syllable division: Some learners may incorrectly divide "tricky" into three syllables, saying "tri-cky". Tip: Remember that "tricky" has only two syllables: "trick" and "y", pronounced /ˈtrɪk.i/.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "tricky" correctly?

The word "tricky" is pronounced as /ˈtrɪki/ in both American and British English. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "trick," which sounds like "trɪk," followed by the unstressed "y" sounding like "i."

What are the syllables in the word "tricky"?

The word "tricky" has two syllables: "trick" and "y." You can break it down as "trick" (ˈtrɪk) and "y" (i), making it easy to pronounce.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "tricky"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "tricky" with equal emphasis on both syllables. Remember, the stress is on the first syllable, "trick," so it should sound like "TRIcky."

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

No, there is no significant difference in the pronunciation of "tricky" between American and British English; both use /ˈtrɪki/. The pronunciation remains consistent across different English dialects.
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