How do you pronounce the word "cats" correctly? - briefly
The word "cats" is pronounced as /kæts/. It rhymes with words like "hats" and "pats".
How do you pronounce the word "cats" correctly? - in detail
To pronounce the word "cats" correctly, it is essential to understand the phonetic rules of English language. The word "cats" is pronounced as /kæts/, where:
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The letter 'c' is pronounced as /k/ which is a voiceless velar plosive. This sound is produced by closing the vocal tract at the velum and then releasing it abruptly, without using the vocal cords.
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The vowel 'a' in "cats" is pronounced as /æ/, which is known as the short 'a' sound or open front unrounded vowel. This sound is similar to the 'a' in "cat".
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The letter 't' is pronounced as /ts/ which is a voiceless alveolar sibilant affricate. This sound is produced by placing the tip of the tongue against the ridge behind the upper teeth and then releasing it abruptly, creating a hissing sound.
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Finally, the letter 's' at the end of "cats" is pronounced as /s/ which is a voiceless alveolar sibilant fricative. This sound is produced by directing airflow along the groove in the center of the tongue against the ridge behind the upper teeth, creating a hissing sound.
It's important to note that in English language, the final 's' in plural nouns like "cats" is pronounced as /z/ when followed by a voiced sound or a pause. However, in the case of "cats", it is pronounced as /s/ because it comes before an unvoiced sound (the 't' sound).
To ensure accurate pronunciation, you can practice saying the word slowly and then gradually increase your speed. Additionally, listening to native speakers or using language learning apps can be beneficial in improving your pronunciation skills.