How to Pronounce "payment"
The correct pronunciation of "payment" is PAY-munt /ˈpeɪ.mənt/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "pay-MENT" habit for good.
payment
/ˈpeɪ.mənt/The act of paying, or an amount of money paid.
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Record yourself saying “payment” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "pay-MENT" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "pay-MENT" with stress on the second syllable. | PAY-munt /ˈpeɪ.mənt/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (PAY). |
How Do You Pronounce "payment"?
"payment" is pronounced PAY-munt /ˈpeɪ.mənt/. The stress is on the first syllable (PAY). As a noun, it means the act of paying, or an amount of money paid.
Stress is on "PAY"; the second syllable is a soft "munt" (schwa), not a strong "MENT".
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "payment" 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
PAY-munt — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (PAY). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
Stress is on "PAY"; the second syllable is a soft "munt" (schwa), not a strong "MENT".
Blend and repeat
Now say "payment" at normal speed: PAY-munt. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "payment" (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.
pay → PAY-munt
Lead with a strong PAY; the ending is a soft "munt", not MENT.
NOT pay-MENT — PAY-munt
Never stress the -ment suffix — let it fall away.
Say at speed: "Your payment was received."
Strong PAY, weak munt, even at normal speaking pace.
Why "payment" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian English often stresses suffixes like "-ment" that English keeps weak.
Tip: Lead with a strong "PAY" and let "munt" fall away: PAY-munt.
Hear “payment” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Your payment was received.
We offer easy payment options.
The first payment is due Monday.
Words Related to "payment"
Now say it inside a sentence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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