How to pronounce “sixth”
Sixth is pronounced /ˈsɪksθ/. It has 1 syllable. 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 1 beat. It is a single beat — one vowel, said in one push of breath.
Stress pattern O — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
“sixth” sound by sound
“sixth” 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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sHold the tongue tip near (not touching) the ridge behind the upper teeth and force a narrow stream of air down the groove of the tongue.
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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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sHold the tongue tip near (not touching) the ridge behind the upper teeth and force a narrow stream of air down the groove of the tongue.
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θLet the tongue tip touch (or just peek between) the upper front teeth and blow air over it with no voicing.
Questions people ask about “sixth”
- How do you pronounce “sixth”?
- “sixth” is pronounced /ˈsɪksθ/. Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “sixth”?
- “sixth” has 1 syllable. The stress pattern is O.
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