How to Pronounce "business"
The correct pronunciation of "business" is BIZ-nis /ˈbɪz.nɪs/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "BIZ-i-ness" habit for good.
business
/ˈbɪz.nɪs/The activity of buying, selling, or producing goods and services; a company.
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Record yourself saying “business” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "BIZ-i-ness" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "BIZ-i-ness" in three syllables, pronouncing the written "i" in the middle. | BIZ-nis /ˈbɪz.nɪs/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (BIZ). |
How Do You Pronounce "business"?
"business" is pronounced BIZ-nis /ˈbɪz.nɪs/. The stress is on the first syllable (BIZ). As a noun, it means the activity of buying, selling, or producing goods and services; a company.
Only TWO syllables — the middle "i" in the spelling is completely silent: BIZ-nis, never "bizi-ness".
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "business" 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
BIZ-nis — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (BIZ). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
Only TWO syllables — the middle "i" in the spelling is completely silent: BIZ-nis, never "bizi-ness".
Blend and repeat
Now say "business" at normal speed: BIZ-nis. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "business" (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.
fizz → biz → BIZ-nis
The first syllable rhymes with "fizz"; the middle "i" is silent.
NOT BIZ-i-ness — BIZ-nis
Two syllables only — think "biznis".
Say at speed: "She runs a small business from home."
Keep it two beats with nothing between BIZ and nis.
Why "business" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian languages pronounce every written vowel, so the silent middle "i" gets voiced as a full syllable.
Tip: Say "BIZ" then "nis" with nothing in between: BIZ-nis. Think of it as "biznis".
Hear “business” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
She runs a small business from home.
We discussed the new business plan today.
Business English is essential for client calls.
Words Related to "business"
Related: busy
Same odd "u": pronounced BIZ-ee, not "buzzy".
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "business" 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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