How to pronounce obsequious
Obsequious is a word that often causes confusion when it comes to pronunciation. Despite its relatively short length, the combination of letters can be challenging. However, once you know the correct way to enunciate it, you’ll be able to use this adjective with confidence.
Obsequious is pronounced as uhb-see-kwee-uhs. The stress falls on the second syllable, and the first syllable is pronounced with a short “uh” sound similar to the “u” sound in the word “cup.” The following syllables are pronounced as “see,” “kwee,” and “uhs” respectively. To help with the pronunciation, break the word down into manageable parts and practice saying each syllable slowly.
Obsequious is derived from the Latin word “obsequiosus,” meaning compliant or obedient. It is used to describe someone who is excessively obedient or submissive, often in an insincere or servile manner. Understanding how to pronounce obsequious correctly will not only enhance your vocabulary but also enable you to communicate your thoughts more effectively.
Guide to Pronunciation
Introduction
Pronunciation can be one of the trickiest aspects of learning a new language. In this guide, we will focus on how to pronounce the word “obsequious” correctly. Along with a phonetic breakdown, we will provide an audio clip to help you hear the correct pronunciation. Let’s begin!
Phonetic Breakdown
The word “obsequious” is pronounced as /əbˈsiːkwiəs/. Let’s break it down further:
| Symbol | Sound |
|---|---|
| /ə/ | schwa sound, like the ‘a’ in “about” |
| /b/ | the ‘b’ sound is made with both lips together |
| /ˈsiː/ | the ‘s’ sound is pronounced as ‘s’, while ˈsiː represents a long ‘ee’ sound |
| /kwɪ/ | the ‘kw’ sound is pronounced as ‘k’ followed by ‘w’ (like “quick”) and ‘ɪ’ represents the ‘i’ sound partially pronounced |
| /əs/ | schwa sound, followed by ‘s’ sound like ‘s’ or ‘z’ |
Audio Clip
To hear the correct pronunciation of “obsequious”, just click on the play button below:
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Once you have listened to the audio clip and familiarized yourself with the phonetic breakdown, it’s time to practice saying the word “obsequious” out loud. Remember to pay attention to the stressed syllables and the vowel sounds. With practice, you’ll master the pronunciation in no time!
Step 1: Identify the syllables
When it comes to pronouncing the word “obsequious,” it is important to understand the syllables and how they are pronounced. This will help you break down the word and pronounce it correctly.
The word “obsequious” has four syllables:
| Syllables | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| ob- | AHB |
| -se- | -SEE- |
| -qui- | -KWI- |
| -ous | -uhs |
Now that you know how to identify the syllables in the word “obsequious,” you can move on to the next step of learning its correct pronunciation.
Step 2: Stress the correct syllable
One of the keys to pronouncing “obsequious” correctly is stressing the correct syllable in the word.
The primary stress in “obsequious” falls on the second syllable, which is “se”. This means that you need to pronounce it with emphasis on that syllable.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Start by saying the “ob” part of the word with a short “o” sound, like in the word “ah”.
- Then, emphasize the “se” syllable by pronouncing it with a long “ee” sound, like in the word “see”.
- Finally, finish the word with the “qui-ous” syllables pronounced quickly and smoothly.
Remember, stressing the correct syllable in “obsequious” is crucial to pronounce it accurately, so make sure to practice the correct stress pattern.
Step 3: Pronounce the sounds
Now that you know the correct syllable stress, it’s time to break down the word into individual sounds and practice pronouncing them.
Here is a breakdown of the sounds in the word “obsequious”:
1. “ob”:
Start with the “oh” sound like in the word “boat”, but make it shorter. Then, add the “b” sound.
Example: oh + b = ob (as in “job”)
2. “se”:
Start with the “s” sound, like in the word “sun”. Then, add the short “eh” sound.
Example: s + eh = se (as in “said”)
3. “qui”:
Start with the “kw” sound like in the word “queen”. Then, add a short “ee” sound.
Example: kw + ee = qui (as in “queen”)
4. “ous”:
Start with the “oh” sound, like in the word “boat”. Then, add the “s” sound at the end.
Example: oh + s = ous (as in “rose”)
Once you have mastered each sound individually, try putting them together to say the whole word “obsequious” repeating it several times with the correct stress on the syllables.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep repeating until you feel confident in pronouncing “obsequious” accurately.
Step 4: Listen and practice
In order to pronounce the word “obsequious” correctly, it is important to listen to how native speakers say it and practice saying it yourself. Here are some tips to help you with your pronunciation:
| Understand the sounds | The word “obsequious” has four syllables: ob-se-qui-ous. Pay attention to the stressed syllable, which is “qui”. |
|---|---|
| Listen to the pronunciation | Listen to the audio recordings available online or use a pronunciation app that provides the correct pronunciation of the word. |
| Repeat after native speakers | Practice saying the word out loud, imitating the pronunciation and intonation of native speakers. |
| Break down the word | A helpful approach is to break down the word into smaller parts and pronounce each syllable separately before saying the complete word. |
| Record yourself | Use a recording device to record yourself saying the word. Listen to the recording and compare it to the pronunciation of native speakers. |
| Ask for feedback | Ask a fluent speaker or a language teacher to listen to your pronunciation and give you feedback on any areas that need improvement. |
By listening and practicing regularly, you will improve your pronunciation of the word “obsequious” and become more confident when using it in conversations.
Summary
The word “obsequious” is pronounced uhb-see-kwee-uhs. It is an adjective that describes someone who is overly obedient or submissive, often to gain favor or attention. The pronunciation of “obsequious” is straightforward, with emphasis on the first syllable “uhb” and a long “ee” sound in the second syllable “see”. The final syllable “uhs” is pronounced with a short “uh” sound, similar to the word “bus”. Understanding the correct pronunciation of “obsequious” can help improve communication skills and accuracy when using this word in conversation or writing.
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