Learning English – Spoken English Pronunciation of the Most Common English Words

Today you’re studying the pronunciation of the 100 most common words in American English.

Today you’re studying the pronunciation of the 100 most common words in American English. 今天，你會學到美式英語當中，100個最常用單字的發音。

This is video 2 in the series. If you didn’t see video one, click here to watch it now.

This is video 2 in the series. If you didn’t see video one, click here to watch it now. 這是第2支影片。如果你沒看過第1支的話，現在就點這裡看吧。

It is important to understand what we’re doing here with studying reductions.

It is important to understand what we’re doing here with studying reductions. 學習弱化讀音時，了解到底是什麼一回事是重要的。

We’re starting today with number 11, the word ‘it’. This word doesn’t reduce

We’re starting today with number 11, the word ‘it’. This word doesn’t reduce 我們今天從第11個單字開始，單字「it」。這個單字是不弱化的。

in a sentence, we don’t drop or change a sound, but it said very quickly. And the pronunciation

In a sentence, we don’t drop or change a sound, but it is said very quickly. And the pronunciation 在句子裡，我們不會丟掉或是改變聲音，可是講得超快。而「T」的

of the T depends on the next word. If it begins with a consonant, this T is a Stop T: it,

of the T depends on the next word. If it begins with a consonant, this T is a Stop T: it, 發音要看下一個單字是什麼。如果是子音開頭的，這裡的「T」是個塞音T：it,

it, it. It won’t be. It, it won't. Very fast, it. If the next word begins with a vowel

it, it. It won’t be. It, it won't. Very fast, it. If the next word begins with a vowel [ ɪt| woʊnt| bi ] it, it. It won’t be. It, it won't. 唸得超快的。如果下一個單字的開頭是母音

or diphthong, then this T is a Flap T, linking the two words together. It always, it always,

or diphthong, then this T is a Flap T, linking the two words together. It always, it always, [ ɪd ˈɔlˌweɪz ] 或是雙子音的話，那麼這裡的「T」是個彈舌T，把兩個單字黏在一起。It always, it always,

it it it it, it always, it always. Said very quickly. It always. Nothing too crazy here,

it it it it, it always, it always. Said very quickly. It always. Nothing too crazy here, it it it it, it always, it always. 唸得超快。 It always. 這個沒有很難，

just say the word quickly. Not IT, but it.

just say the word quickly. Not IT, but it. 很快地把這個單字唸出來就是了。 不是「IT」[ ɪt ]，而是「it」[ it| ]。

Number 12, one of my all-time favorite reductions: For. We almost never say it this way. We say

Number 12, one of my all-time favorite reductions: For. We almost never say it this way. We say 第12個，其中一個我永遠都那麼愛的弱化單字：For [ fɔr ]。我們幾乎都不會這樣子把它唸出來。我們唸

‘fer’. Isn’t that funny? I had a student once who lived in America and was married

‘fer’. Isn’t that funny? I had a student once who lived in America and was married 「fer」[ fər ]。是不是很搞笑呢？我曾經有一位跟美國人結婚

to an American. She told her husband how she was learning about this reduction. And his

to an American. She told her husband how she was learning about this reduction. And his ，而且住在美國的學生。她跟老公講說她在學這一個弱讀單字。然後他的

response was, “that’s ridiculous". We don’t do that, we don't pronounce that fer.

response was, “that’s ridiculous. We don’t do that, we don't pronounce that fer." 回應是：「很荒唐。我們不會這樣子，我們不會這樣子唸 [ fər ]」

Then later, he did it, as he was speaking naturally, and she pointed it out. Most Americans

Then later, he did it, as he was speaking naturally, and she pointed it out. Most Americans 然後，過了一陣子，就在他自然而然地講話的時候，他就這樣子唸出來了。她便指出來了。很多美國人

aren’t even aware of these crazy reductions that we do. So, to make this reduction drop

aren’t even aware of these crazy reductions that we do. So, to make this reduction drop 根本就沒注意到我們所唸的，這些腦袋進水的弱讀方式。那麼，要弱化這個單字，丟掉

the vowel, ff-rr, fer fer. Say the word very quickly, low in pitch. Fer fer. This is for

the vowel, ff-rr, fer fer. Say the word very quickly, low in pitch. Fer fer. 母音，ff-rr, fer fer. [ fər ]。 超快地把單字唸出來，音調低低的。Fer fer.

work. Fer. I made a longer video with more examples on the reduction of the word ‘for’,

This is for work. Fer. I made a longer video with more examples on the reduction of the word ‘for’, [ ðɪs ɪz fər wɜrk. ] 「這是工作需要的。」fer. [ fər ] 我做了一支有更多關於單字「for」弱讀例子，更詳細的影片，

check it out if you want more detail here. I got it for my birthday. For for. What’s

check it out if you want more detail here. I got it for my birthday. For for. [ aɪ gɑt ɪt| fər maɪ ˈbɜrθˌdeɪ. ] 如果你想要更多資訊的，點這裡看看吧。 「我為慶祝我的生日而買的。」For, for.

for dinner? For. In conversation, fer not ‘for’.

What’s for dinner? For. In conversation, fer not ‘for’. [ wʌts fər ˈdɪnər? ] 「晚餐吃什麼？」For. 交談的時候，唸 「fer」[ fər ]，不是「for」[ fɔr]

Number 13: Not. Now, this word, in conversation, will very often be contracted n’t. Didn’t,

Number 13: Not. Now, this word, in conversation, will very often be contracted n’t. 第13個：Not. 那，這個單字在對話裡很常被縮寫。「n + 撇號 + t」

doesn’t, can’t, shouldn’t, won’t, and so on. Notice I’m not releasing the [ dɪnt|, ˈdʌzənt|, kænt|, ˈʃʊdənt|, woʊnt| ] Didn’t, doesn’t, can’t, shouldn’t, won’t等等。 留意我沒有把「T」放開唸出來

doesn’t, can’t, shouldn’t, won’t, and so on. Notice I’m not releasing the

T there, didn’t, but didn’t.didn’t. It’s an abrupt stop of air in the N to signify the T: didn’t,

T there, didn’t, but didn’t.didn’t. It’s an abrupt stop of air in the N to signify the T: didn’t, 不是「didn't」[ dɪnt ]，而是「didn」[ dɪnt| ]。唸「N」時有一個氣流的急剎，帶動了「T」音：didn't

didn’t, shouldn’t, nt nt, nt, shouldn’t couldn’t, couldn’t. If we don’t use

didn’t, shouldn’t, nt nt, nt, shouldn’t couldn’t, couldn’t. If we don’t use [ dɪnt|,ˈʃʊdənt|, nt|, kʊdənt| ] didn’t, shouldn’t, nt nt, nt, shouldn’t couldn’t, couldn’t. 如果我們不用

a contraction, then we’re often stressing it: I do NOT want to see her right now. In

a contraction, then we’re often stressing it: I do NOT want to see her right now. In 縮寫，那麼我們便常常重讀：「我這一刻*不要*見到她。」

these cases, we’ll probably do a Stop T. Not. I do NOT want to see her right now. Not,

these cases, we’ll probably do a Stop T. Not. I do NOT want to see her right now. Not, [ aɪ dʊ nɑt| wɑnt| də si hər raɪt naʊ.] 這個意境下，我們大概會唸一個塞音T。 Not [ nɑt| ] 「我這一刻*不要*見到她。」Not.

stop the air, and then keep going. I do Not wanna. Not

stop the air, and then keep going. I do Not wanna. Not [ aɪ dʊ nɑt| wɑna.] 把氣流停住，然後繼續唸下去。 「我*不要*。」Not. [ nɑt| ]

Number 14: on. This word doesn’t reduce. We don’t change any sounds like we did with

Number 14: on. This word doesn’t reduce. We don’t change any sounds like we did with ‘for’. 第14個：on. 這個單字是不弱讀的。 我們不像唸「for」一樣把聲音改掉。

‘for’. But, it is unstressed. You don’t want to say ON in a sentence, but rather,

But, it is unstressed. You don’t want to say ON in a sentence, but rather, 可是，這個單字是輕讀的。 你不會唸句子時唸「ON」[ ɔn ]，而是

‘on’. On on. “Put it on the table.” On. When it’s unstressed, that gives good

‘on’. On on. “Put it on the table.” On. When it’s unstressed, that gives good [ pʊd ɪd ɑn ðə ˈteɪbəl. ] 「on」On on. 「放到桌子上吧。」On. 弱讀這個單字帶給

contrast to the longer, clearer stressed words ‘put’ and ‘table’, and this contrast

contrast to the longer, clearer stressed words ‘put’ and ‘table’, and this contrast 較長，較清楚重讀的單字「put」跟「table」鮮明的對比。而這對比

is very important in American English. It's better than each word being longer and clearer.

is very important in American English. It's better than each word being long and clear. 在美式英語當中是尤其重要的，比每個單字都唸得又長又清楚來得好。

What would it sound like if ‘it, on, the’, were also stressed? Put it on the table. Put

What would it sound like if ‘it, on, the’, were also stressed? Put it on the table. Put 如果「it，on，the」都重讀，聽起來會變成怎樣呢？ 「Put it on the table. 放在桌子上。」

it on the table. Put it on the table. No, that’s not how we speak. Put it on the table. Put it on the table.

it on the table. Put it on the table. No, that’s not how we speak. Put it on the table. Put it on the table. 「Put it on the table. 放在桌子上。」不，這不是我們講話的方式。「Put it on the table. 放在桌子上。」

That’s how we speak. Not ON, but on. Try that with me now. Low in volume, low in pitch,

That’s how we speak. Not ON, but on. Try that with me now. Low in volume, low in pitch, 這才是我們講話的方式。不是「ON」，而是「on」。現在跟我一起試試看。聲音小小的，音調低低的，

not very clear. On, on. Put it on the table.

not very clear. On, on. Put it on the table. 沒有很清楚。On, on. 「Put it on the table.」

Number 15, the fifteenth most common word in English: with. There are two ways you can

Number 15, the fifteenth most common word in English: with. There are two ways you can 第15，第15個英語裡最常見的單字：with. 有兩種唸

pronounce this word: with a voiced TH, with, with, with or an unvoiced TH, with, with.

pronounce this word: with a voiced TH, with, with, with or an unvoiced TH, with, with. 這個單字的方式：有塞音TH的 [ wɪð ]，with, with, with。或是一個無聲的TH， with, with. [ wɪθ]

I don’t use the voiced TH. I think it sounds a little old-fashioned. I would stick with

I don’t use the voiced TH. I think it sounds a little old-fashioned. I would stick with 我不用塞音TH的。我覺得聽起來有點過時了。我會繼續用

the unvoiced TH, with, with. Just like ‘on’, this word doesn’t reduce. None of the sounds

the unvoiced TH, with, with. Just like ‘on’, this word doesn’t reduce. None of the sounds 無聲的TH，with, with. [ wɪθ] 。跟「on」一樣，這個單字是不弱化的。沒一個音

change. But, it is unstressed. It will usually be pronounced like this: with, rather than

change. But, it is unstressed. It will usually be pronounced like this: with, rather than 有所改變。可是，是輕讀的。通常都這樣子唸的：with，而不是

WITH. “It’s with the other one” with the, with the, with the, with the, with the. Low in pitch.

WITH. “It’s with the other one” with the, with the, with the, with the, with the. Low in pitch. [ ɪts wɪθi ˈʌðər wʌn ] 「with」「它跟另一個在一起。」with the, with the, with the, with the, with the. [ wɪθi ] 。音調低低的。

Notice I’m just making one TH to connect these two unstressed words, with the, with

Notice I’m just making one TH to connect these two unstressed words, with the, with 留意這裡我只唸了一個「TH 」，把這兩個輕讀單字黏在一起。with the, with

the, with the. It's the unvoiced TH. With the, with the other one. It’s with the other

the, with the. It's the unvoiced TH. With the, with the other one. It’s with the other one the, with the. 是無聲的TH。With the, with the other 「跟另一個在一起。」

one.

Number 16, he. Oh yes, this one reduces. Can I just say, we are already at 16, and we still

Number 16, he. Oh yes, this one reduces. Can I just say, we are already at 16, and we still 第16個，「he」。噢，沒錯，這個單字是弱讀的。我想說，我們已經講到第16個了，還沒有

haven’t seen one word that is stressed, that's a content word. Wow. When are we going

haven’t seen one word that is stressed, that's a content word. Wow. When are we going 看到一個重讀的單字，一個實詞。 WOW，我們到底什麼時候

to see it, and what is it going to be? I can’t wait to find out. But, back to 16, he. Fully

to see it, and what is it going to be? I can’t wait to find out. But, back to 16, he. Fully 才會看到呢？會是什麼樣的單字呢？ 我急不及待想要見到。可是，先回到第16個單字「he」。完整地

pronounced, ‘he’, it's the H consonant and EE as in SHE vowel. But very often we

pronounced, ‘he’, it's the H consonant and EE as in SHE vowel. But very often we 唸出來，「he」[ hi ]，有一個子音「H」跟「SHE」[ ʃi ]的母音「EE」[ i ]。可是，很常把

drop the H, and have just the EE sound. What does he want? What does ee ee ee ee. We drop

drop the H, and have just the EE sound. What does he want? What does ee ee ee ee. We drop [ wʌt| dəzi wɑnt|? ] 「H」丟掉。「他想要什麼?」What does ee ee ee ee. 我們把「H」

the H and we connect it to the word before: does he?, does he? What does he want? What

the H and we connect it to the word before: does he?, does he? What does he want? [ wʌt| dəzi wɑnt|? ] 丟掉，然後把它黏到前一個單字：does he?, does he? [ dəzi ] What does he want?

What would that sentence sound like if every word stressed? What does he want? What does he [ wʌt dəz hi wɑnt? ] 如果每個單字都重讀的話，這句子聽起來會長怎樣？What does he want? What does he want?

would that sentence sound like if every word stressed? What does he want? What does he

want? What does he want? No, that’s not natural English. What does he want? I have

What does he want? No, that’s not natural English. What does he want? I have What does he want? 不，這並不是道地的英語 What does he want? [ wʌt| dəz i wɑnt|? ] 我有

a video on dropping the H reductions. Click here or in the description below to see that

a video on dropping the H reductions. Click here or in the description below to see that 一支關於消除「H」弱讀方式的影片。點這裡或是下面的資訊欄來收看

video and to get more examples.

video and to get more examples. 那支影片，還有更多的例子。

Seventeen. As. Yep, this word reduces. It’s not pronounced AS in a sentence. That’s

Seventeen. As. Yep, this word reduces. It’s not pronounced AS in a sentence. That’s 第十七個單字，「as」。沒錯，這個單字是弱讀的。在句子裡不會唸「AS」[ æz]。那是

stressed. This word is usually not stressed. The vowel changes to the schwa and it becomes

stressed. This word is usually not stressed. The vowel changes to the schwa and it becomes 重讀的。這個單字通常都不重讀的。母音改成 混母音[ ə ]，然後變成

‘uhz’. AS, uhz. He’s as tall as me. Uhz—uhztalluhz. Uhztalluhz. Not AS, uhz,

‘uhz’. AS, uhz. He’s as tall as me. Uhz—uhztalluhz. Uhztalluhz. Not AS, uhz, [ hiz əz tɔl əz mi. ] uhz, AS, uhz. [ əz, æz ]「他跟我一樣高。」Uhz—uhztalluhz. Uhztalluhz. 不是「AS」，是「uhz」

uhz. He's as tall as me. I have a video that goes over this reduction too. Click here or

uhz. He's as tall as me. I have a video that goes over this reduction too. Click here or uhz. 「他跟我一樣高。」我也有一支講解這個弱讀的影片。點這裡或是

in the description below to see that and more examples.

in the description below to see that and more examples. 下面的資訊欄收看那支影片跟更多的例子。

Eighteen. You. Another word that reduces. This word can be reduced to ‘yuh’. What

Eighteen. You. Another word that reduces. This word can be reduced to ‘yuh’. 第18個，「you」。另一個弱讀的單字。這個單字可以弱化成「yuh」[ jə ]

are you doing? What are you. Yuh, yuh, yuh. You never have to do reductions, and you could

What are you doing? What are you. Yuh, yuh, yuh. You never have to do reductions, and you could [ wʌd ər jə ˈduɪŋ? ] 「你在幹嘛？」What are you. Yuh, yuh, yuh. 你不用特地弱化這個單字，

definitely say “What are you doing?”, you, you, you. I’m not reducing that, I’m

definitely say “What are you doing?”, you, you, you. I’m not reducing that, I’m你可以直接說「你在幹嘛？」 [ wʌd ər ju ˈduɪŋ? ] you, you, you. 我沒弱化它，我

not changing the vowel, but I am still making it unstressed. ‘you’ instead of YOU. This

not changing the vowel, but I am still making it unstressed. ‘you’ instead of YOU. This 沒把母音改掉，可是我還是輕讀了。不唸「YOU」，而是唸「you」。這

word will usually be unstressed. That means, don’t pronounce it ‘you’, which is stressed.

word will usually be unstressed. That means, don’t pronounce it ‘you’, which is stressed. 個單字通常都是輕讀的。意思就是說，不要唸「YOU」，這是重讀的。

Pronounce it you. Or reduced you.

Pronounce it you. Or reduced you. 唸「you」[ ju ] 或是弱化成「ya」 [ jə ]。

Nineteen. Do. Our first content word. Content words are nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

Nineteen. Do. Our first content word. Content words are nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. 第19個，「do」。我們第一個實詞。實詞是名詞，動詞，形容詞跟副詞。

They're usually stressed in a sentence. Our first stressed word! Sort of. Actually, this

They're usually stressed in a sentence. Our first stressed word! Sort of. Actually, this 他們在句子裡通常都是重讀的。我們第一個重讀的單字！大概是吧。事實上，這個

word can reduce. It depends on how it’s being used in a sentence. In a question, where

word can reduce. It depends on how it’s being used in a sentence. In a question, where 單字是可以弱讀的。這要看它在句子裡怎麼用。在一道問題裡有另一個動詞在的時候，

there’s another verb, we often reduce it. For example, what do you think? ‘Think’

there’s another verb, we often reduce it. For example, what do you think? ‘Think’ 我們通常弱化它。比方說，「你怎麼想的?」「think」

is another verb. Did you notice how I pronounced ‘do’? What do you? What to, what to, what

is another verb. Did you notice how I pronounced ‘do’? Whaddaya, Whadda, Whadda, [ wʌt| də jə? ] 是另一個動詞。你有沒有留意到我是怎樣唸「do」的? Whaddaya, Whadda, Whadda,

to do do. D plus schwa. Reducing DO like this is nice, natural English. I do have a video,

Whadda da da. D plus schwa. Reducing DO like this is nice, natural English. I do have a video, [ aɪ du hæv ə ˈvɪdioʊ ] Whadda da da. 「D」加上混母音 [ də ] 。這樣子弱化「DO」是又正確又道地的英語。「我正好有支影片。」

there I’m stressing it, I do have a video because it’s a statement, not a question,

there I’m stressing it, I do have a video because it’s a statement, not a question, [ aɪ *du* hæv ə ˈvɪdioʊ ] 這裡，我重讀。「我正好有支影片。」，因為這是一句陳述句，不是疑問句。

I do have a video on the DO reduction. Click here or in the description below to see that

I do have a video on the DO reduction. Click here or in the description below to see that 我正好有支關於「DO」弱讀的影片。點這裡或是下面的資訊欄收看那支

video.

video. 影片。

Twenty. The word At. Preposition, function word, and yes, it reduces. In conversation,

Twenty. The word At. Preposition, function word, and yes, it reduces. In conversation, 第20個，單字「at」。介系詞，實詞，沒錯，要弱化的。交談的時候，

we often pronounce this word ‘ut’, with a schwa, instead of AT, with the AA as in

we often pronounce this word ‘ut’, with a schwa, instead of AT, with the AA as in 我們通常會把這個單字唸成「ut」[ ət| ]，有個 混母音[ ə ]，而不會像「BAT」[ bæt ]

BAT vowel. The T is a Flap T if the next word begins with a vowel or diphthong, and a Stop

BAT vowel. The T is a Flap T if the next word begins with a vowel or diphthong, and a Stop 母音一樣唸「aat」[ æt ]。如果接下來的單字開頭是母音或是雙母音的話，這裡的「T」是一個彈舌T。如果

T if the next word begins with a consonant. If you’re not sure what a Stop or Flap T

T if the next word begins with a consonant. If you’re not sure what a Stop or Flap T 接下來的單字開頭是子音的話，就會是個塞音T。如果你不確定塞音或是彈舌T是什麼的話，

is, I do have a video on that, click here or in the comments below. Sample sentence:

is, I do have a video on that, click here or in the comments below. Sample sentence: 我正好有一支講解這部分的影片。點這裡或是下面的留言收看。例句：

She’s at school. Ut. AT becomes ‘ut’. She’s at school.

She’s at school. AAt. AT becomes ‘ut’. She’s at school. 「她在學校。」ut.「AAT」[ æt ] 變成「ut」[ ət ] She’s at school.

So now we’re twenty words in, and still all our words are usually unstressed or might

So now we’re twenty words in, and still all our words are usually unstressed or might 那麼，我們目前為止已經講過20個單字了，可是我們的單字通常還是輕讀的，或是

reduce. We’ll have to keep looking for our first stressed all the time word.

reduce. We’ll have to keep looking for our first stressed all the time word. 有可能弱讀的。我們需要繼續尋找我們第一個重讀的，常用的單字。

That’s it, and thanks so much for using Rachel’s English.

That’s it, and thanks so much for using Rachel’s English. 就這樣了，非常感謝收看Rachel’s English。