20 English words that are sometimes mispronounced even by native speakers

1. Transient

Translation: short-term.

The pronunciation of this word is surprising even to native speakers. Many dictionaries indicate the transcription [ʹtrænzıənt]. However, transient has two syllables, so it is actually pronounced [ʹtrænʃənt].

2. Status

Translation: status, position.

The correct pronunciation is not [ʹstætəs], but [ʹsteıtəs].

3. Prelude

Translation: introduction.

The pronunciation of [ʹpreɪljuːd] is wrong. One should say [ʹpreljuːd].

4. Valet

Translation: valet.

This is not a French word, so you cannot pronounce the last syllable as [eɪ]. Valet is pronounced [ʹvælit].

5. Forte

Translation: advantage.

If this word means someone's strong side, then it is pronounced like [fɔːt]. If you mean a musical term, say [ʹfɔːteɪ].

6. Err

Translation: be wrong.

It does not rhyme with hair, as many people think, but with her. The transcription of a word looks like this: [ɜː].

7. Gala

Translation: festive.

Dictionaries tell you to read gala as [ʹgaːlə]. But it is pronounced like [geɪlɑ].

8. Applicable

Translation: suitable.

The stress should fall not on the second, but on the first syllable: [ʹæplɪkəbl].

9. Spherical

Translation: spherical.

Many people pronounce this word as [ʹsfiːrɪkl], but one should say [ʹsferɪkl].

10. Decrease

Translation: decrease, decrease.

In the noun, the stress falls on the first syllable: [ʹdiːkriːs], and in the verb, on the second: [diːʹkriːs].

11. Caramel

Translation: caramel.

The word is traditionally pronounced as [ʹkærəmel]. But the midwestern regional variant of pronunciation is also acceptable: [ʹkaːmel].

12. Mauve

Translation: purple.

The correct pronunciation is not [məʊv], but [mɔːv].

13. Regime

Translation: mode.

The correct transcription of the word looks like this: [reɪʹʒiːm].

14. Joust

Translation: Knight Tournament.

In the 13th century, this word was pronounced as the word just: [dʒʌst].

15. Either

Translation: one of.

Are you used to saying [ʹaɪðə]? However, it is more correct to pronounce [ʹiːðə].

16. Quasi

Translation: ostensibly.

Today the most commonly spoken word is [ʹkwɑːsɪ], but it would be more correct to pronounce [ʹkweɪsɪ].

17. Long-lived

Translation: long-term.

Unlike the modern pronunciation of [ˌlɔːŋʹlɪvd], until the 20th century, the word was pronounced as [ˌlɔːŋʹlaɪvd].

18. Comptroller

Translation: financial inspector.

The name of this position is pronounced [kənʹtrəʊlə].

19. Gyro

Translation: gyros.

This is a Greek dish that looks like shawarma well known to us. Therefore, it should be pronounced in Greek: [ʹjiːrɔ].

20. Victuals

Translation: provisions.

This English word is pronounced [ʹvɪtəlz].