English spelling is notoriously difficult. Sometimes, the way a word is spelled has almost nothing to do with how it sounds! Below is a collection of the most commonly mispronounced words by English learners in Cambodia. Click the audio button to hear the correct pronunciation.
Recipe
/ˈres.ɪ.pi/ (REH-suh-pee)
Meaning: A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required.
អត្ថន័យ៖ រូបមន្តធ្វើម្ហូប
Signification: Recette de cuisine
意思：食谱
"My grandmother gave me her secret recipe for chicken soup."
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Don't say: re-SEEP (The 'e' at the end is NOT silent!)
Choir
/kwaɪər/ (KWY-er)
Meaning: An organized group of singers, typically one that takes part in church services or performs publicly.
អត្ថន័យ៖ ក្រុមចម្រៀង / ក្រុមភ្លេង
ความหมาย: คณะนักร้องประสานเสียง
Ý nghĩa: Dàn hợp xướng
"He sings beautifully, so he decided to join the school choir."
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Don't say: CHO-ir (It sounds exactly like the word "require" without the "re".)
Comfortable
/ˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/ (KUMF-tuh-bl)
Meaning: Providing physical ease and relaxation.
អត្ថន័យ៖ ដែលមានផាសុកភាព / ស្រួលខ្លួន
意味：快適な
의미: 편안한
"This new sofa is incredibly comfortable."
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Don't say: com-FOR-ta-ble (Native speakers drop the middle 'o' and blend it into three syllables).
Colonel
/ˈkɜː.nəl/ (KER-nl)
Meaning: A rank of officer in the army and in the US air force or Marine Corps.
អត្ថន័យ៖ វរសេនីយ៍ឯក
Significado: Coronel
Значение: Полковник
"He was promoted to the rank of colonel last year."
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Don't say: co-lo-nel (Pronounce it exactly the same as the word "kernel" of corn).