If you’re a non-native English speaker, you may struggle to correctly pronounce certain words. One such word is “essential.” To correctly pronounce it, begin by saying the letter "e" as it is pronounced in the word “echo” - “eh.”
Next, move on to the "ss" combination. As with many other words in English, the “ss” is pronounced as one sound, not two. To make the “ss” sound, hiss like a snake or make the sound of a long “s.”
Continue by saying the “en” combination. To do this, say the “eh” sound again, followed by the “n” sound. The “n” should be pronounced like the “n” in the word “none.”
Lastly, end with the “shuh” combination. To make this sound, purse your lips like you’re making a kissing sound, and make the “sh” sound.
Altogether, the correct pronunciation of “essential” is “eh-ss-en-shuh.” With practice and repetition, you can learn to pronounce this word, and many other English words, like a native speaker.
Definition of
essential
What does it mean
essential
Frequently asked questions
How do you say essential correctly?
To pronounce essential correctly, emphasize the second syllable: /ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl/ (ih-SEN-shuhl). Practice by breaking it into four parts: e-sen-tial. Listen to native speakers, or use a pronunciation app like Pronounce AI to ensure your accent is natural. Consistent self-recording on getpronounce.com can help you compare and refine your pronunciation over time.
What are some synonyms for essential?
Some synonyms for essential include vital, crucial, and necessary. The choice depends on context: vital is often used with life or health, crucial emphasizes importance in a process, and necessary is useful when emphasizing a requirement.
Are there alternative pronunciations of essential?
Yes, essential can have slight variations, such as /ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl/ (ih-SEN-shuhl) in American English and /ɪˈsen.ʃəl/ (ih-SEN-shul) in British English. Some speakers slightly alter vowel sounds to /əˈsɛn.ʃəl/ (uh-SEN-shuhl), reflecting regional accents and dialects.