How to pronounce “originator”
Originator is pronounced /ərˈɪdʒəˌneɪtər/. It has 5 syllables, and the beat falls on the second one — ɪ. 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 5 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 ɪ in the right place matters more to a listener than getting every vowel perfect.
Stress pattern oOoōo — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
“originator” sound by sound
“originator” is built out of 8 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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ərThe same r-coloured tongue shape as /ɜːr/ but weak, short and unstressed — the ending of "teacher", "doctor", "sugar".
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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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dʒThe voiced twin of /tʃ/: stop the air with the tongue at the ridge and release it into a voiced /ʒ/ buzz.
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əDo almost nothing: leave the tongue in its neutral resting position, mouth slightly open, and make the shortest, weakest possible vowel.
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nTouch the tongue tip to the ridge behind the upper teeth, lower the soft palate, and voice the air out through the nose.
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eɪStart at the /e/ position and glide upward and forward toward /ɪ/ — the jaw closes as you say it.
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tTouch the tongue tip to the bumpy ridge just behind the upper teeth, block the air, then release it with a puff.
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ərThe same r-coloured tongue shape as /ɜːr/ but weak, short and unstressed — the ending of "teacher", "doctor", "sugar".
Questions people ask about “originator”
- How do you pronounce “originator”?
- “originator” is pronounced /ərˈɪdʒəˌneɪtər/, with the stress on the second syllable (ɪ). Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “originator”?
- “originator” has 5 syllables: ər · ɪ · dʒə · neɪ · tər. The stress pattern is oOoōo.
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