English pronunciation · Words Starting with N
National Pronunciation
National is pronounced NA-shuh-nuhl, IPA /ˈnæʃənəl/.
NA-shuh-nuhl
US /ˈnæʃənəl/ · UK /ˈnæʃənəl/
Syllables: NA · shuh · nuhl (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Belonging to or covering an entire country.
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National in a Sentence
- The national average is slightly higher.
- A national newspaper picked up the story.
- National rules override the local ones.
Common Mispronunciations of National
Not na-shuh-NAL
NA is the loud opening, and the two beats behind it hold no full vowels at all.
Not NAY-shuh-nuhl
Rhyme the first beat with the a of cat, since the long ay vanishes as soon as the al ending is added.
Tip: National, rational and factional all share this short a and the same falling shape.
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