How to pronounce “because”
Because is pronounced /bɪˈkɔːz/. It has 2 syllables, and the beat falls on the second one — kɔːz. Below: the syllable split, native audio in both accents, the mistake people actually make with this word, and every individual sound in it explained.
Syllables and stress
Split it into 2 beats. The highlighted syllable is the strong one: say it louder, longer and a touch higher in pitch, and let the others fall away. English is a stress-timed language, so getting kɔːz in the right place matters more to a listener than getting every vowel perfect.
Stress pattern oO — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
“because” sound by sound
“because” is built out of 5 sounds. Say each one on its own first, slowly, then run them together at speed. Every sound links to a full guide with mouth position, the mistake learners make with it, and other words that use it.
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bPress both lips together and release them while the vocal folds are already vibrating, with no puff of air.
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ɪRelax the tongue slightly lower and further back than for /iː/, keep the lips neutral, and make it short and lax.
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kRaise the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate, seal the air, then release it with a puff.
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ɔːTongue low and back like /ɑː/, but round the lips and push them forward slightly; the sound is long and rounded.
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zExactly the /s/ tongue position with voicing added, so the airflow buzzes.
Silent letters in “because”
Letters you write but never say — this is the single biggest reason the word trips people up:
- eThe letter “e”Silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead) — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.
Words that rhyme with “because”
Same ending sound from the stressed vowel on — a good way to hear whether you have the vowel right:
Questions people ask about “because”
- How do you pronounce “because”?
- “because” is pronounced /bɪˈkɔːz/, with the stress on the second syllable (kɔːz). Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “because”?
- “because” has 2 syllables: bɪ · kɔːz. The stress pattern is oO.
- Does “because” have any silent letters?
- Yes — silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead).
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