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The Basics of IPA:
Mastering Pronunciation with HighVocab

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a system where each symbol represents a specific sound, or phoneme. Unlike English spelling, which can be inconsistent (think of "cough," "though," and "through"), IPA symbols always correspond to the same sounds.

Common IPA Symbols in English

Vowels:

Consonants:

How to Read Stress in IPA

In English, certain syllables are stressed more than others. This is shown in IPA with an apostrophe (ˈ) before the stressed syllable.

How HighVocab Helps You Learn Pronunciation

HighVocab makes learning pronunciation easy with IPA transcriptions, definitions, translations, and audio pronunciations for every word you save.

Steps to Learn Pronunciation Effectively:

  1. Click on a Word While Browsing → HighVocab instantly provides pronunciation, IPA transcription, and examples.
  2. Listen to the Pronunciation → Click the speaker icon to hear the word and repeat after it.
  3. Observe the IPA Notation → Notice the phonetic symbols and stress marks to understand correct pronunciation.
  4. Practice Regularly → Try pronouncing the word aloud using the IPA guide and compare it with the audio.
  5. Memorize & Review → Use HighVocab’s memorization feature to track words you’ve learned and test yourself later.

Why IPA Matters

With HighVocab, learning new words isn’t just about memorizing meanings—it’s about sounding confident when you speak!

💡 Start using HighVocab today and unlock the power of correct pronunciation!