How to pronounce “technique”
Technique is pronounced /tekˈniːk/. It has 2 syllables, and the beat falls on the second one — niːk. 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 niːk in the right place matters more to a listener than getting every vowel perfect.
Stress pattern oO — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
The common mispronunciation of “technique”
✗ Often said: /ˈtetʃnɪkwe/ — the spelling, read straight off the page.
✓ Actually: /tekˈniːk/
Why the two come apart: the silent “u” after “g”/“q” is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it; also, the stress lands on the second syllable (“niːk”), not on the first one — putting the beat at the front is the mistake almost everyone makes; also, at least one vowel does not say what its spelling suggests — English vowel letters are not reliable here.
This is why reading English aloud from spelling alone goes wrong so often: the letters of “technique” are not a reliable map of its sounds. The IPA is — each symbol stands for exactly one sound, every time.
“technique” sound by sound
“technique” is built out of 6 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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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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eHold the tongue mid-high and forward with the jaw slightly open and lips relaxed and unrounded.
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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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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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iːSpread the lips into a smile, push the front of the tongue high and forward, and hold the sound tense and long.
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kRaise the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate, seal the air, then release it with a puff.
Silent letters in “technique”
Letters you write but never say — this is the single biggest reason the word trips people up:
- uThe letter “u”Silent “u” after “g”/“q” — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.
Words that rhyme with “technique”
Same ending sound from the stressed vowel on — a good way to hear whether you have the vowel right:
Minimal pairs — words one sound away from “technique”
Each of these differs from “technique” by exactly one sound. If you can say both of a pair and hear the difference, that sound is under control:
Questions people ask about “technique”
- How do you pronounce “technique”?
- “technique” is pronounced /tekˈniːk/, with the stress on the second syllable (niːk). Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “technique”?
- “technique” has 2 syllables: tek · niːk. The stress pattern is oO.
- What is the common mispronunciation of “technique”?
- People read it off the spelling as /ˈtetʃnɪkwe/, but it is actually /tekˈniːk/, because the silent “u” after “g”/“q” is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it.
- Does “technique” have any silent letters?
- Yes — silent “u” after “g”/“q”.
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