How to pronounce "paddle"

paddle

Sports & Recreation
American
/ˈpæd.əl/

Syllable Breakdown

pad dle

How natives say paddle

British
/ˈpæd.əl/

Syllable Breakdown

pad dle

How natives say paddle

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Step 1: Start with the 'p' sound by pressing your lips together and releasing.

  • Step 2: Produce the short 'a' sound as in 'cat' with your mouth open.

  • Step 3: Move to the 'd' sound by touching the roof of your mouth with your tongue.

  • Step 4: Finish with the 'l' sound by placing your tongue behind your upper teeth.

Common Mistakes

  • pea-dle (pea-dle)

  • pa-dil (pad-dil)

  • pa-de (pad-de)

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Step 1: Start with the 'p' sound by pressing your lips together and releasing.

  • Step 2: Produce the short 'a' sound as in 'flat' with your mouth open.

  • Step 3: Move to the 'd' sound by touching the roof of your mouth with your tongue.

  • Step 4: Finish with the 'l' sound by placing your tongue behind your upper teeth.

common mistakes

  • pea-dle (pea-dle)

  • pa-dil (pad-dil)

  • pa-de (pad-de)

FAQ

Is the 'a' in 'paddle' long or short?

It is a short 'a' as in 'cat'.

How do you make the 'l' sound clear?

Place your tongue behind your upper front teeth.

Is there a silent letter?

No, all letters in 'paddle' are pronounced.

Definition

paddle

A tool used to move a small boat through water.

Word Family

pad

/pæd/

noun

A cushion or support

Example: He wrote on a pad of paper.

paddler

/ˈpædlər/

noun

A person who paddles a boat

Example: The paddler moved quickly down the river.

paddleboat

/ˈpædlˌboʊt/

noun

A small boat moved by paddles

Example: We rented a paddleboat at the lake.

Key Pronunciation Differences

Paddle adds a second syllable with the 'l' at the end.

Paddler includes an 'er' sound at the end.

Paddleboat combines 'paddle' and 'boat', emphasizing 'boat'.

Pro Tips

Focus on the 'd' sound

Make sure the 'd' is pronounced clearly with a quick tongue tap on the roof of your mouth.

Stay consistent with syllables

Focus on two syllables: 'pad-dle'. Don't add extra sounds.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Paddle

adventure

/ədˈvɛntʃər/

amateur

/ˈæm.ə.tʃɚ/

appeal

/əˈpil/

appreciate

/əˈpriʃiˌeɪt/

athlete

/ˈæθ.liːt/

ball

/bɔl/

basin

/ˈbeɪ.sən/

basket

/ˈbæskɪt/

Other Categories

Test Your Pronunciation On Words Within Other Categories

adjoin

abroad

ability

agenda