American English: T Pronunciations

ESL: How to pronounce the letter T.
American English Pronunciation: Understand the rules on how to pronounce T in American English.
TRANSCRIPT: rachelsenglish....
Cải thiện nói tiếng Anh Mỹ / 음성 미국 영어를 향상 / 話されているアメリカ英語を向上させる / Улучшение говорил американский вариант английского языка / Meningkatkan berbicara bahasa Inggris Amerika / Melhorar a fala Inglês Americano / Mejorar el habla Inglés Americano / 提高口语的美式英语 / बात अमेरिकी अंग्रेजी में सुधार / تحسين يتحدث اللغة الإنجليزية الأميركية
...with Rachel's English!
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[@taherelsayed1865]

I have no doubt that you're one of the best English pronunciation teachers on KZbin.

[@michaelbaram2401]

I strongly recommend this remarkable video for every non-native speaker regardless of their background, one of the most useful American English pronunciations video I have ever seen.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks a lot Michael!

[@rachelsenglish]

Without having watched the video, I can make the general comment that sounds/speech can be quite different in singing than speaking. I don't recommend using songs a guides for spoken English in general.

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, D is a little more straight forward, and the difference between a flap D and full D less dramatic than the difference between the Flap T and True T. And you're right, the D can also be a stop.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for your question. I lot of people hear it that way, you're not the only one! With that word especially, it isn't uncommon to make a sound that is like a light flap. And if someone is really mad, really wanting to be forceful with the word STOP!!!!, they make the flap T a more heaving sound, allowing some air to build up so it's more like a true stop D than a flap T.

[@rachelsenglish]

@thesileboss Not really. It's not released, but the tongue going up to the roof of the mouth does change the sound before: it cuts it off. So it's different than not doing anything at all.

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, we use 'pretty' all the time: pretty good, pretty boring, etc. Did you do a search though? Because I already have a video on that. Please always do a search first! watch?v=UMps1maxtVo

[@rachelsenglish]

The first T is true because it begins a stressed syllable. The second makes the SH sound.

[@ccc-mi9gc]

The best teacher i have ever seen on youtube . Number ine internationally. Respect from University Moroccan English studens. "S5" linguistics studies this year if God wants that. I have been fallowing you since I was in high school

[@rachelsenglish]

The sound of the flap t = American D between vowels = Spanish R between vowels

[@Churchof-JesusChrist.]

so professional. nobody teach like you. you are amazing. But take care of the purity otherwise you will be struggling in your personal life. No selflove. no good. That take away you natural life as human being. purity

[@UnknownProfileGPT]

The first time I saw the f sound on another channel I didn't understand it but now with more examples and explanations from you I finally understood it, I understand this beautiful language more and more and it turns out to be less difficult and it's fun to understand it.

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad to hear that @WernerSanchez!

[@rachelsenglish]

The vowel length can be affected by the ending consonant (voiced vs. unvoiced), that is one way (do a search on "rachelsenglish vowel lenght ending consonant"). Also, context will help you tell the difference between the two words.

[@rypsterhc8673]

😎

[@rammonfreitas1079]

You have a gift Rachel, this video saved my life. I do love the way that you explain, please don't lose it. You are awesome! Thank you for this channel :D

[@AndresFe20]

I have no doubt that you're one of the best english pronunciation teachers on youtube. I have your book and I'm studying right now! it doesn't matter the time haha, you're helping me tons, one thousand of Thank you!. Andres from Colombia (South America)

[@rachelsenglish]

@NarcyzKnap No, 'sent it' would not have a flap T in 'sent' because there is no vowel before the T, it is the N sound. So it would still be s stop. Best, Rachel

[@ronaldoferreiraoliveira]

Good english pronunciations and the best english theacher l see 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you!

[@Stillwhistler]

It all seems so natural to me I never stopped to think about the complexity of the actual differences in difference situations. Eye opening.

[@MarcosAntonioMattar]

Dear Rachel , good afternoon, it´s 02:32pm here in Rio de Janeiro. Thank you. Best wishes .

[@MuhammadRiaz-hm1zf]

You are a super teacher and pronunciation expert. A lot of talent and skills are required for attaining knowledge from your videos which are worth appreciating.

[@TheVivin143]

u r my best teacher ever..... i love u my great teacher..... u helped me a lot. thank u so much

[@M4rkosRoch4]

Execelent video! Your videos are better and better. You're the best english teacher I know. Thanks From Brazil. (:

[@lyllies1130]

I can´t watch your videos, I have to study them. 10 minutes of this video might as well be an hour!!! I ADORE THEM!!!!

[@rachelsenglish]

@TheShoutbyher 1) I choose to teach it as a D. Yes, it is a soft sound. 2) These would either be a true T, or left out altogether because of the linking to the next word. 3) Yes, I would pronounce that as a stop.

[@sihambenguesmia7890]

Thank you ever so much dear. I used to pronounce /t/ like /r/ sound because my first language is Arabic . So thank you dear Rachel. Regards from Algeria.

[@Mnds-b4f]

OMG! Your videos is one of the best thing I found this year, it's helping me a lot ;D I did an english course for 3 years, and my teachers never teached me about this "T" pronunciations, at least I dond't remember.

[@rachelsenglish]

@diianna88 I grew up in Florida, and since have spent 5 years each in the Midwest, Boston area, and New York City.

[@rachelsenglish]

No, we don't make the R with the tongue flapping. It might sound this way to you when it's done very quickly, but the tongue tip never touches the roof of the mouth.

[@rachelsenglish]

Good question! That has to do with the schwa+N ending. Some will make the T before that a stop, like in 'kitten' and 'mountain'. Best, Rachel

[@keithbotla9680]

More information please

[@jimcachapero1249]

This video really helps me to learn more about the standard American English pronunciation. Im from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad it was helpful @jimcachapero1249!

[@Nilmabostonrio]

Rachel, 1) Let me give another word example as a complement to this rule (7:12 min from the video). Rule: When the T is followed by the schwa and the N sound: Right here in Boston, we pronounce the word "BosTON" the same way you are explaining in this video. 2) "Dentist" is another word with unofficial silent "T" in its pronunciation (9:20 min. from video). Thanks for share this lessons to us, Rachel.

[@rachelsenglish]

the glottal stop is used in in all stop consonants.

[@isicuchisu]

Sooooo freaking helpful this video, hahaha. I always come back to it to check some particular information about American pronunciation of T. Thanks Rachel!!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome!

[@alexandrzarezin7765]

great great great Video, Rachel this is the real English foreigners should learn or at least be well aware of. Rachel God bless you for that amount of work and the scrutiny and love for The language you have put into your videos. Rachel, again, thank you so much!

[@rachelsenglish]

Officially it is the æ sound. But when that sound is followed by ŋ, in practice it is much more closer to eɪ.

[@dysfunctional75]

That´s very clear. The way you articulate the sounds makes it easy for every curious learner to imitate you. Thanks, Rache!

[@تقىعلى-غ1ع]

I'am understand from you many things I'm from Egypt 🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬

[@rachelsenglish]

Right, but it does sound like a D between vowels: though IPA for American English doesn't make a distinction, the D between vowels isn't quite the same as the Stop T that begins a word. But the flap T (T between vowels) sounds just like the D between vowels.

[@rachelsenglish]

@TheTrieutran Yes, that word ends with the T sound, so it can definitely be pronounced with at Stop T (which is different from no T at all, otherwise it would sound like 'no')

[@rachelsenglish]

These are not hard and fast rules, they are based on the habits of most native speakers. You will definitely hear some native speakers make True T's when it could be a stop or a flap, especially when they're talking in front of a group or into a microphone or on TV.

[@rachelsenglish]

@arthurrr2006 Yes, the T between vowels is like the D between vowels. Many people consider this the same as the R sound in "pero".

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, a lot of people would pronounce that as a stop, unless the next word begins with a vowel, then Flap T would be a good choice.

[@alonsofigueroa6173]

Rachel's es muy buena..... Excelente!!.... When I was in school, my English teacher was always worried about the pronunciation of her students. Rachel's reminds me of that teacher

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Alonso!

[@axea4554]

learning the correct pronunciation of sounds is so much useful

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad to hear that!

[@rachelsenglish]

Do a search on RachelsEnglish 'pronounce any word' and hopefully you'll see the video I made that can help you there.

[@RDromero]

Thank you so much for all of video you make. I love you, you are my best teacher.

[@rachelsenglish]

@TheShoutbyher You may hear some Americans using a more lazy pronunciation, more like a D in STOP. The other two words concern the T with the R following. I have done a video on it. Do a search on "Rachel's English TR CHR" -- it's at the top.

[@Sanctustormentor]

These lessons are so clear that you can be listening to it without the picture and still understand it.

[@kharekelas4259]

I just noticed a lot T got lost while listening to youtubers. Glad found your explains, now I know why my English doesn't sound American :D

[@peshawa3469]

Thanks so much dear Racheal..hope to figure out a brief of rules with a pdf file to the video so that we can download it and keep it as a soft copy as it very beneficial for us to read it... Regards.

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very much welcome Peshawa!

[@aldie2011]

Listened to the whole video!!!!! Caught my attention for sure!

[@gidalvopinheiro-ho5qb]

Suas aulas são muito interessantes sim obg prof ❤❤❤❤ te amo ❤❤❤

[@rachelsenglish]

@dhsynn Thanks for your question! It would be incorrect to pronounce the T as a flap sound (D) if the next sound wasn't a vowel. Also, it should be a true T if it is part of an ending cluster ("first")

[@rachelsenglish]

Actually, I would say the T in CHRISTMAS is dropped (not officially, but in practice). This happens a lot when the T comes between two consonants; 'exactly' is another case where many natives will drop the T. But in CIRCUMSTANCE the T is not between two consonants, it is part of the 'st' cluster, which has a True T sound.

[@madoficial8840]

I am so inspired learning English and you have been parte of this process

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks!

[@kennychan6006]

Thank you Rachel, this is an extremely useful video, with lots and lots of information. This consonant t is extremely hard to master!!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're so welcome Kenny! Keep it up!

[@kennychan6006]

Rachel's English Rachel, I have a question. Let’s say I’m saying the following sentence, “I don’t understand what you’re saying”. When I link up the “t” of the “what” with the “you’re”, does it sounds like “wha ja” or “wha cha”? I tried both but I couldn’t tell which is a more native way of speaking.

[@rachelsenglish]

@thisfunguy113 All of those words have a T or TT between vowel sounds, so that would be pronounced as a Flap T by most. REMEMBER: The T is not silent when it is pronounced as a stop! A stop T is not the same thing as dropping the T!

[@henrykhosasih8781]

You are a legend, Rachel!

[@rachelsenglish]

Wow thank you!

Thank you a lot. I really have trouble in pronuncing θæ in the "thank you", for example, and it's a very important phrase. Rachel, THANK YOU! God bless you for giving us all these important informations.

[@rachelsenglish]

I don't have a video on that topic yet. But I'm working on one.

[@rachelsenglish]

Leaving off the T entirely will give the word the wrong shape: use a stop to to make the word end a little more abruptly, and it will sound right.

[@TheGretaoto]

Hello, Rachel. My name is Fernanda. I'm Brazilian. I would like to say that your lessons are awesome. Keep doing videos with this phonetic tips. I'm majoring English for this reason I'm very curious when the subject involves phonetic field. See ya soon. You are an expect in these subjects. The most special aspect is that you are a native so you can solve many problems that can be a big rock on a way of any learner like me. LOL

[@sokhenghor736]

I love your teaching, it is extremely perfect.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you! 😃

[@alepavanelli]

very good!! tks a lot for help us!! I am from Brazil! My name is Alexandre. tks dear Rachel!!

[@temesgenbelete4466]

Thank you Rachel! Because of your help to pronounce English,👍👍🌈

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very welcome Temesgen!

[@ELo-wi7vv]

This woman is so beautiful. In all her videos through the years she remains so beautiful. And she's the best on the subject.

[@phamlinh9905]

thanks alot Rachel, after reviewed all of internet english teaching clips, this is great...

[@josefranw]

Wow! that was actually A LOT OF information. Thank you so much for making Rachel's English, indeed.

[@FlyForFunNaruto]

So organized, precise and descriptive. Love it. Even if it's from 8 years ago it's so useful.

[@rachelsenglish]

I am working on a video on this topic! Should be published in the next 1-2 months. :)

[@changhung-wen22]

It is an amazing video which covers lot of details that I didn't know!!! Thank you for his nice video!!!

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, that if the flap T, which sounds like the R in 'pero' in Spanish.

[@brankagod]

Love you girl! I am learning a lot with Rachel's English. Thank you!

[@SweetHomeSalalah]

Thank u Rachel for the reply Yes I do research be4 I ask u questions and I spend most of my time learning from your fabulous videos (thank you pretty much for that) ,however sometimes I don't get lucky

[@regismananga2590]

Hi Rachel your courses remind those I did in phonetics and phonology but we were really focused on British English

[@rachelsenglish]

@thisfunguy113 As in the video, T between vowel sounds is the flap T.

[@rachelsenglish]

You're right that in clusters it can sound sort of ambiguous. But if you purposely make a D, it will probably sound to heavy. Stick with thinking of it as a T. :)

[@israelrudecindomoya9367]

Thanks a lot for another great pronunciation lesson

[@rachelsenglish]

It's not really a matter of right or wrong with these T pronunciations, but with the habits of people in general. If you always did a true T for consonant clusters, that wouldn't sound wrong. If you hear a native speaker dropping a T in a cluster and you want to try it, then do experiment with it.

[@yvancornil1423]

Awesome summary! Love it!

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad you liked it!

[@shaxzoda7379]

Thank you Rachel. I love your videos so much. Your videos are very helpful.

[@alanblackburn7940]

I love your accent wish I could speak like you Rachel

[@DavidJimenez-my5gn]

Really useful video to master English ! Thanks a lot for such a great job, I always learn and improve with your videos ! Thanks and greetings from Mexico !

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you David! I'm so glad it's helping. You're quite welcome!

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, this T is a stop T (or, a true T if fully pronounced).

[@1234567milagros]

que barbara!! que tremenda leccion muchas gracias profesora Rachel :).

[@junezhang2128]

My ESL teacher in high school taught us that the T, P, K, sound like D,B,G, in consonant clusters such as"st, spr, sk", I've been speaking like so ever since. sdop, sbray, sgate and so on.

[@talleyberry]

Not quite. D, B, and G are voiced and unaspirated. T, P, and K are unvoiced and aspirated. Those sounds are actually unvoiced and unaspirated. We don't have letters to represent these sounds in English, but ต, ป, and ก are the Thai letters for those sounds, and Pinyin uses D, B, and G. (Maybe your surname Zhang suggests you have no problem thinking of those sounds as D, B, and G. If you use the Chinese D, B, and G, you are using exactly the right English sounds.)

[@sheakahmadguruntunbauchini4716]

Thanks You! for teaching us.

[@rachelsenglish]

My pleasure!

[@GoGugutiGo]

This video deserves a lot of Likes! Great job Rachel! Added to my favorite list!

[@lamaa.5539]

I liked it! You’ve made it organised and very easy . Thank you !

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Lma!

[@RustuPai]

Superb video, Rachel. Thanks a lot.

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome RustuPai!

[@MsEnglish123]

Really good job. Thank you

[@lukyluke42]

Hi.... I'm Italian......thank you very much,you've been very helpful!!!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome!

[@ferassaffar3825]

thank you for all your vids definitely you've the best useful channel on youtube.

[@freepalestine185]

My best teacher

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Neymar!

[@rachelsenglish]

@diablesse98 Yes, it can be pronounced either way!

[@amsharz]

Oh my God, I really love the way you speak English ☕👍

[@rachelsenglish]

Happy to hear that SerbaSerbi!

[@Stillwhistler]

Although I think I do usually pronounce the "t" in wanted and interview, dropping it sounds natural as well. I think I say it as a (t) in "interview" and almost as a (d) maybe in "wanted" as I actually sit here saying it to myself now. I was hearing about there being about 15 or so basic regional dialects in the US on another video just now. I'm from Colorado personally, and I do think regions definitely play a role as well, although I don't usually notice these things unless I focus on them. Anyway, really interesting stuff. I'm definitely subscribing to your channel.

[@georgeemerald4389]

Kinda depends on how lazy you are. If I’m lazy I’ll innerview, but I’m pretty sure I never pronounce the t in wanted. Sounds pretty unnatural.

[@arvindyogini]

Thank you Rachel! Regarding non official "skipping T" as in "interview", I did 2 Accent Reduction trainings, and they mentioned that habit as part of American accent. So you can count that as acknowledged sound

[@youcefhamid761]

Thanks very much Madam for the useful as well as helpful course, especially for foreign learners.

[@thanhlong2203]

thank you so much. Your lessons are really useful for me...