How to pronounce difficulties
Say it like DIF-uh-kul-teez. Difficulties has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce difficulties. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIF
- uh
- kul
- teez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Difficulties pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teezKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of difficulties
American and British speakers say difficulties in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪfəkəltiz/ in the US and /ˈdɪfɪkəltiz/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIF-ih-kul-teez.
What does difficulties mean?
Questions about saying difficulties
How do you pronounce difficulties?
Say DIF-uh-kul-teez. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪfəkəltiz/. In British English it is /ˈdɪfɪkəltiz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in difficulties?
Difficulties has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF). Broken into parts: DIF · uh · kul · teez.
Do Americans and Brits say difficulties the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪfəkəltiz/ and the British form is /ˈdɪfɪkəltiz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.