How to Pronounce EARTH - American English Pronunciation

In this American English pronunciation video, we’re going to go over how to pronounce

a very tricky word: Earth. What on earth? That word is hard. We’ll also go over some

idioms with this word.

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lessons with native speakers on your own schedule. More information at the end of the video.

The word ‘earth’. Five letters, three IPA symbols, but only two sounds. In American

English, the UR vowel is always the same as the R consonant. The R symbol always follows

this vowel, and we just make one sound. UR. So we have the R vowel/consonant, which can

be tricky, and the TH consonant, which can also be tricky.

Let’s go over how to pronounce this word. To make the R vowel/consonant, the tongue

pulls back and up from the middle. So the sides of the middle of the tongue can touch

the sides of the roof of the mouth. Urr. The tongue tip isn’t touching anything. It looks

like this. The lips flare out some, ur. And notice that the jaw doesn’t drop much. Many

drop the jaw too much, and that messes up the vowel. Ar. No. Just ‘ur’. Earth. It

might help you to think of this word starting with R and no vowel at all. RRRth, earth.

To transition into the TH, relax the lips and bring the tongue tip forward so just the

tip comes through the teeth. Earth. The tongue has to be really relaxed so the air doesn’t

get stuck. It should flow freely, th. Earth.

Let’s look at this word up close and in slow motion.

The lips flare and you can see the inside of the mouth is dark. This is because the

tongue is pulled back. You can see some of the tongue that is hanging down. Now, for

the transition, the tongue moves forward, and the tip comes through the teeth. Watch

again.

Earth.

Now you try it, slowly. Earth. Earth. Just two positions. Earth.

Ok, now a few idioms with ‘earth’. We have the phrase ‘down to earth’. This

is used to describe someone who is very real. Not arrogant. For example, Even though LaBron

James is incredibly famous, he still seems kind of down-to-earth. Down to earth. Do you

notice that I’m reducing ‘to’? I’m making it more like a light D sound and a

schwa. Down to, down to. You try it. Down to. Down to earth.

The phrase ‘salt of the earth’. This is used to describe someone who is just good.

Kind to others. Maybe has a simple lifestyle. For example, Mother Theresa was focused on

helping others. She was very salt-of-the-earth.

The phrase “to move heaven and earth” means you would do anything to get the result

you want. I would move heaven and earth to get you that job. I would move heaven and

earth to get tickets to that opera. It’s my dream to see that opera!

And finally: earth to Rachel! You can say this to someone when they have spaced out,

when they’re not paying any attention.

>> Earth to Rachel! >> Yes, thank you. Back to the video.

I hope this video has made this tricky word a little easier. Remember, it’s just two

sounds. Practice the word many times and you’ll get it! Let’s watch a few more times. Speak

out loud with the video.

Earth. [3x]

What words or phrases are difficult for you? Please put them in the comments below, and

don’t forget to search my videos, I made have already made your video.

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