How to pronounce "finally"

finally

Adverb
American
/ˈfaɪ.nə.li/

Syllable Breakdown

fi nal ly

How natives say finally

British
/ˈfaɪ.nəl.i/

Syllable Breakdown

fi nal ly

How natives say finally

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the 'fi' like in 'fine'.

  • Next, say 'nuh' softly, with a short vowel sound.

  • End with 'lee', making sure the 'l' is clear.

Common Mistakes

  • fin-a-lee

  • fuh-nal-lee

  • fi-nal-ee

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the 'fi' as in 'fine'.

  • Say 'nuhl' softly, where 'uh' is unstressed.

  • End with 'ee', ensuring the 'l' is clear.

common mistakes

  • fin-a-lee

  • fuh-nal-lee

  • fi-nal-ee

FAQ

Is the 'fi' pronounced like 'fee'?

No, 'fi' is pronounced like 'fine' with a long 'i' sound.

Should I stress 'nal' in American English?

No, the stress is on the first syllable 'fi'.

Is there a silent 'e' in the ending?

No, all letters are pronounced, but the 'e' is part of the 'lee'.

Definition

finally

Used to indicate that something has happened after a long time.

Word Family

final

/ˈfaɪ.nəl/

adjective

Last in a series

Example: This is the final test.

finish

/ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/

verb

To complete something

Example: I will finish my homework soon.

fin

/fɪn/

noun

A part of a fish

Example: The shark has a large fin.

Key Pronunciation Differences

The ending '-ly' in 'finally' requires an extra syllable.

In 'finish', the vowel sound is short, unlike 'finally'.

'Fin' is a short word with a simple ending.

Pro Tips

Emphasize the Stress

Focus on stressing the first syllable to maintain the correct rhythm.

Practice Slowly

Break down the word into syllables and practice each slowly.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Finally

agenda

/əˈdʒɛn.də/

amend

/əˈmɛnd/

anniversary

/ˌænɪˈvɜrsəri/

attend

/əˈtɛnd/

authorize

/ˈɔθəˌraɪz/

beforehand

/bɪˈfɔːrhænd/

center

/ˈsɛn.tɚ/

chronicle

/ˈkrɑːnɪkl̩/

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