How to pronounce vulnerability
Vulnerability is a word that holds a special place in the vocabulary of many speakers of the English language. It is a term that is frequently used and is often associated with being open, exposed, or susceptible to harm, attack, or criticism. Pronouncing this word correctly can be a challenge for non-native English speakers, as it contains a combination of sounds that may not exist in their native language.
The word “vulnerability” consists of four syllables: vul-ner-a-bil-i-ty. Each syllable in this word has a clearly defined sound, and pronouncing them correctly is essential for conveying its meaning. The emphasis is placed on the second syllable, “ner”.
Here’s a breakdown of the correct pronunciation of “vulnerability”:
- The first syllable “vul” is pronounced as /vuhl/ with a short and relaxed vowel sound, similar to the word “pull”.
- The second syllable “ner” is pronounced as /nər/ with a schwa sound, which is a neutral vowel sound similar to the “uh” sound in “fun”. It is important to stress this syllable.
- The third syllable “a” is pronounced as /uː/ with a long ‘oo’ sound, similar to the word “boom”.
- The fourth syllable “bil” is pronounced as /bɪl/ with a short and crisp vowel sound, similar to the word “bill”.
- The fifth syllable “i” is pronounced as /iː/ with a long ‘ee’ sound, similar to the word “bee”.
- The final syllable “ty” is pronounced as /ti/ with a short vowel sound similar to the word “tea”.
By mastering the correct pronunciation of the word “vulnerability,” you will be able to effectively communicate and express yourself when discussing topics related to openness, risk, and weaknesses.
Proper pronunciation guide
Here is a proper pronunciation guide for the word “vulnerability”:
vul-ner-a-bil-i-ty
Breakdown:
- vul: Pronounced like “vull”. The “u” is a short vowel sound, similar to the word “pull”.
- ner: Pronounced like “ner”. The “e” sounds like the short vowel sound in the word “ten”.
- a: Pronounced like “uh”. This is a short, unstressed vowel sound.
- bil: Pronounced like “bill”. The “i” sounds like the short vowel sound in the word “sit”.
- i: Pronounced like “ee”. This is a long vowel sound.
- ty: Pronounced like “tee”. The “y” sounds like the long vowel sound in the word “see”.
Putting it all together, the word “vulnerability” is pronounced as “vul-ner-a-bil-i-ty”.
Note: This pronunciation guide follows English UK pronunciation rules.
Common mispronunciations
Despite its frequent use, the word “vulnerability” is often mispronounced. Here are some common mispronunciations:
Mispronunciation | Correct Pronunciation |
Vul-nuh-RAH-bility | Vuhl-ner-uh-BIL-i-tee |
Vul-ner-uh-BY-li-tee | Vuhl-ner-uh-BIL-i-tee |
Val-ner-a-BIL-i-tee | Vuhl-ner-uh-BIL-i-tee |
Vul-ne-ra-bil-i-tee | Vuhl-ner-uh-BIL-i-tee |
To correctly pronounce “vulnerability,” make sure to emphasize the second syllable and pronounce the “l” rather than the “r” sound for the second syllable.