How to Pronounce "listen"
The correct pronunciation of "listen" is LIS-un /ˈlɪs.ən/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "LIS-tun" habit for good.
listen
/ˈlɪs.ən/The act of paying attention to sound.
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Record yourself saying “listen” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "LIS-tun" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Sounding the 't': 'LIS-tun' with a clear t. | LIS-un /ˈlɪs.ən/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (LIS). |
How Do You Pronounce "listen"?
"listen" is pronounced LIS-un /ˈlɪs.ən/. The stress is on the first syllable (LIS). As a verb, it means the act of paying attention to sound.
The 't' is silent — say LIS-un, with no 't' sound in the middle.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "listen" 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
LIS-un — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (LIS). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 't' is silent — say LIS-un, with no 't' sound in the middle.
Blend and repeat
Now say "listen" at normal speed: LIS-un. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "listen" (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.
glisten → listen
Ending matches 'glisten'; the t is silent in both.
NOT LIS-tun — LIS-un
No t sound before the n.
Say at speed: "Please listen carefully."
Keep the t silent.
Why "listen" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian-language scripts pronounce every written letter, so the silent English 't' gets voiced.
Tip: Drop the 't': LIS-un, the ending is just 's' plus 'un'.
Hear “listen” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Please listen carefully.
I love to listen to music.
Listen to what she says.
Words Related to "listen"
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "listen" 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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