Proper Pronunciation Guide

hibiscus

[hə bɪs kəs]

Tips:

  • Pronounce the initial letter “h”—
    /h/.
  • Pronounce the first letter “i” as the weak schwa vowel
    /ə/.
  • Pronounce the second letter “i” as the short vowel
    /ɪ/  and stress it.
  • Pronounce the letter “u” in the final unstressed syllable as the weak schwa vowel
    /ə/.

Practice Sentence:

 She gave her mother an hibiscus plant for Mother's Day.

Definition:

  • (noun) A type of woody plant with large, colorful flowers.

Notes:

Generally, the indefinite article “an” is used before words that begin with a vowel (an apple, an office). However, “an” can also be used before words that begin with /h/ when the first syllable of the word is not stressed: an hysterical child, an hypothesis, or an humiliation. Note the difference in this regard between “a history play” and “an historical drama.”

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