Command English

English pronunciation can be tricky, even for advanced learners. Some words have silent letters, unusual sounds, or combinations that make them difficult to say correctly. In this article, we will look at five of the hardest English words to pronounce. We will also give you tips on how to say them with confidence.

1. Squirrel (/ˈskwɪr.əl/ or /ˈskwɝː.əl/)

Many non-native speakers find “squirrel” difficult because of the combination of consonants. The problem is the “squ-” sound at the beginning and the tricky “-rl” sound at the end.

✅ Tip:

• Break it into two parts: “squ” (like in “square”) and “rrel” (like “rel” in “relish”).
• Say it slowly: “squi-rrel” and gradually speed up.
• Practice with similar words like “twirl” and “girl.”

2. Sixth (/sɪksθ/)

The word “sixth” is difficult because it combines an “s” sound, a “k” sound, and a “th” sound. For many learners, pronouncing “xth” together feels unnatural.

✅ Tip:

• Break it down: First, say “six” and then add the “th” sound separately.
• Practice “six” and “thick” separately before combining them.
• Keep your tongue between your teeth for the “th” sound.

3. Rural (/ˈrʊr.əl/ or /ˈrʊr.ʊl/)

“Rural” is challenging because of the repeated “r” sounds and the vowel shift in between. It requires flexibility in tongue movement, which can be difficult for speakers whose native languages do not use a strong “r.”

✅ Tip:

• Say “roo-ral” slowly and exaggerate the “r” sound.
• Try practicing it with “world” and “whirl,” which have similar sounds.
• If it feels too hard, slow down and pronounce each part separately before blending them together.

4. Colonel (/ˈkɝː.nəl/)

This word is one of the strangest in English because its pronunciation does not match its spelling. Instead of “co-lo-nel,” it sounds like “kernel.” The reason for this is historical – the word comes from French but changed pronunciation over time in English.

✅ Tip:

• Remember that “colonel” sounds like “kernel” (like in “popcorn kernel”).
• Focus on the first syllable: “ker-” and add “nel” at the end.
• Listen to native speakers saying the word and imitate them.

5. Worcestershire (/ˈwʊs.tər.ʃɪr/ or /ˈwʊs.tər.ʃɚ/)

This word, especially common in British English, confuses many learners because it looks longer than it sounds. The correct pronunciation is more like “Wooster-shire” rather than “Wor-ces-ter-shire.”

✅ Tip:

• Ignore the spelling! It’s pronounced “WUSS-ter-sheer” in American English or “WUSS-ter-shuh” in British English.
• Practice with similar names like “Leicester” (“Lester”) and “Gloucester” (“Gloster”).
• Say it slowly first and speed up when you feel comfortable.

Final Tips for Improving Pronunciation

1. Listen to native speakers – Watch English movies, listen to podcasts, or use pronunciation apps.
2. Practice difficult sounds separately – Focus on “th,” “r,” and silent letters.
3. Record yourself – Compare your pronunciation to native speakers.
4. Use phonetic spelling – Learn how to read phonetic transcriptions in dictionaries.
5. Be patient – Pronunciation takes time, but regular practice will help!

Which English words do you find difficult to pronounce? Try saying these five words and let us know your experience in the comments!