How to Pronounce "anchor"
The correct pronunciation of "anchor" is ANG-kuh /ˈæŋkə/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "AN-chor" habit for good.
anchor
/ˈæŋkə/A heavy hook that holds a ship in place; also a main news presenter.
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Record yourself saying “anchor” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "AN-chor" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying 'AN-chor' with the soft chair-'ch' in the middle. | ANG-kuh /ˈæŋkə/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (ANG). |
How Do You Pronounce "anchor"?
"anchor" is pronounced ANG-kuh /ˈæŋkə/. The stress is on the first syllable (ANG). As a noun, it means a heavy hook that holds a ship in place; also a main news presenter.
The 'ch' is a hard 'k' sound, not the 'ch' of 'chair' — ANG-kuh.
Note: US /ˈæŋkər/ sounds the final r; the 'ch' is a hard k in both.
Say "anchor" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
ANG-kuh — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (ANG). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'ch' is a hard 'k' sound, not the 'ch' of 'chair' — ANG-kuh.
Blend and repeat
Now say "anchor" at normal speed: ANG-kuh. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "anchor" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
bank → ANG-kuh
The middle is a hard k like the 'nk' in 'bank', never chair-ch.
NOT AN-chor — ANG-kuh
'ng' plus a hard k, not a soft chair sound.
Say at speed: "She is the news anchor tonight."
Keep the ng-k crisp even in a quick sentence.
Why "anchor" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers read 'ch' as the chair sound, but here the 'nch' is really an 'ng' plus a hard k.
Tip: Say 'ANG' then a hard k: ANG-kuh, never a chair-ch.
Hear “anchor” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Drop the anchor here.
She is the news anchor tonight.
The ship lifted its anchor at dawn.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "anchor" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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