Knowing how to correctly pronounce potentially is important for any non-native English speaker. The word is made up of four syllables and should be pronounced: po-ten-shal-lee.
Begin by stressing the first syllable, "po," and then pronounce the next three syllables quickly. The "t" in the second syllable should be pronounced with a short, sharp "t" sound, and the "sh" of the third syllable should be said with a soft "sh" sound.
The fourth syllable, "lee," should be drawn out slightly more than the other syllables. The "lee" sound should be pronounced with a clear "ee" sound, as in the word "see."
When saying the word in one breath, it should sound something like "puh-ten-shal-lee." Put together, the word should sound something like "puh-tensh-uh-lee."
By practicing the word several times, non-native English speakers can quickly learn how to pronounce potentially correctly. With practice, the word can be said smoothly and confidently.
Definition of
potentially
What does it mean
potentially