Word Stress
In words with two syllables, one syllable is always LOUDER, longer, and higher.
Rule 1: Nouns & Adj
Stress the FIRST syllable! (សង្កត់សំឡេងលើព្យាង្គទី ១)
Rule 2: Verbs
Stress the SECOND syllable! (សង្កត់សំឡេងលើព្យាង្គទី ២)
The Changers 🎭
Some words change meaning based on stress! (ពាក្យខ្លះប្តូរអត្ថន័យទៅតាមការសង្កត់សំឡេង)
What happens to the syllable you DON'T stress?
wa-ter ➔ /ˈwɔː.tər/
Listen Closely 👂
Mission 🎯
Mission 🎯
Mission 🎯
Find the Rhythm
Teacher Tip: Watch how Teacher Sopheak uses her hands to show the rhythm of the words. The physical movement helps your brain remember the stress pattern! Try the "Rubber Band" trick she shows at 2:15.
Ask a Question 🙋♂️
Recent Questions
Yes, Sovan! It is actually more important than saying every single letter perfectly. If you put the stress on the wrong syllable (like saying ho-TEL instead of HO-tel), a native speaker might genuinely not understand the word you are saying. Don't be shy, embrace the rhythm! 🎶
What is that upside-down 'e' symbol (/ə/) in the pronunciation guide?
That is called the "Schwa" sound! It is the most common vowel sound in English. It sounds like a very weak, lazy "uh". It almost always happens in the syllable that is NOT stressed. 😌
Are there any exceptions to the Noun=1st / Verb=2nd rule?
Hi Bopha! Yes, English is full of exceptions! For example, "con-TROL" is both a noun and a verb, and the stress stays on the second syllable for both. However, the rule we learned today works about 80% of the time, making it a very helpful guide! 🗺️
Teacher, is word stress really that important? I feel shy exaggerating the sounds.