Native Phrase Lab
WillowbrookWord 6 of 100 · Silent letters
How to pronounce subtle
/ˈsʌtəl/ British English
SUT·əl
2 beats (syllables). The strong beat is the first one.
a Crossed-out letters are silent.
✗ Many people say
SUB·tle
✓ Say
SUT·əl
My tip
The b is silent.
In a sentence
It’s a very subtle difference.
Now you say it
- Listen to me two or three times.
- Say it slowly, one beat at a time: SUT-əl.
- Say the sentence at normal speed.
Questions
How do you pronounce subtle?
In British English, subtle is pronounced /ˈsʌtəl/. Say it like this: SUT-əl. The b is silent.
How many syllables are in subtle?
When you say it, subtle has 2 syllables: SUT-əl. The strong beat is the first one, SUT.
More words like this: silent letters
Practise these sounds
- The schwa, /ə/The small, weak sound in this word. It’s one of the 4 sounds you can practise completely free in my Sound Atlas.
- The strong beat: /ʌ/ as in “cup”Meet this sound and hear it in my Sound Atlas. Free.
- The Sound MapAll 44 sounds of British English, in my voice. Free.
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