Talking About Business - Are You Pronouncing 'Business' Correctly?

Let's get down to business!
(That's an English idiom for: let's get started!)

But really, today's lesson is all about the word 'business.' So we really are getting down to business. ;)  ...sorry, bad joke!

I want to give you words that will help you with your business English, so I thought, let's start with that very word: business.

And yup, more silent letters in this word! Follow along with the video and you will be able to say this word naturally in no time. 

Here's how to pronounce 'business' like a native:

Click on the CC button for English subtitles

You can also follow along with the transcipt here if you'd like:
.....
More silent letters! Today we’re doing the word 'business.'
Hey, guys! Today’s word is 'business.'

This word can be really hard to pronounce because a lot of you may be used to just reading it and seeing it written all the time. If you just look at how it’s written, it looks like it should be 'BU-ZEE-NESS'  - 'BIZ-ZUH-NESS' - something like that, where you’re pronouncing the “i.”

But native English speakers pronounce this word with only two syllables:
'BIZ-nuhs'
'BIZ-nuhs' ...and the S will sound like a Z.

Let’s break it down. Try the first syllable with me. It sounds like “biz.”

Repeat after me:
'biz'
'biz'
Now you have the first part: 'biz.'

Let's put it together with the second part of the word, 'nuhss.'

The second part of the word will be shorter because it doesn’t have the stress on it.
'nuhss'
'n' ss'

Say it with me.
'n' ss'

Good. Now let’s put the word together.
'BIZ-n'ss'

Say it slowly and forget about the “i.” The “i” is silent.
'BIZ-n'ss'
'BIZ-n'ss'
'BIZ  -  n'ss'

Very good. Here is your sample sentence:
“Do you run your own business?”
Repeat after me.
“Do you run your own business?”

Please comment below and tell us what business sector you work in. Also make sure to… nope, over there... over there... Make sure to click over here and you can get access to my free pronunciation course.

It will help you fix some of the most common mistakes in pronunciation and it will help you sound more natural in your spoken English.

Remember to subscribe so that you won’t miss any of my weekly words.They come out every Wednesday.

Thank you for watching. I’m Sabrina. Bye!
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If you haven't access my free pronunciation course yet, you can just put your email in the form below or you can sign up here. 

And don't forget to comment below and answer this question:

What business sector do YOU work in?

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