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Vowel Minimal Pair

How to Pronounce burn vs barn

Key Pronunciation Contrast

‘Burn’ (⁄bɝːn⁄) uses the central nurse vowel ⁄ɝː⁄; ‘barn’ (⁄bɑːrn⁄) uses the open back ⁄ɑːr⁄.

Contrast: ⁄ɝː⁄ vs ⁄ɑːr⁄

burn

⁄bɜːrn⁄

Syllables

BURN

Definition:

A physical injury caused by heat, cold, electricity, radiation or caustic chemicals.

“She had second-degree burns from falling in the bonfire.”

barn

⁄bɑːrn⁄

Syllables

BARN

Definition:

A building, often found on a farm, used for storage or keeping animals such as cattle.

“One day I was out in the barn and he drifted in. I was currying the horse and he set down on the wheelbarrow and begun to ask questions.”

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Frequently Asked Questions: burn vs barn

What is the difference in pronunciation between "burn" and "barn"?

‘Burn’ (⁄bɝːn⁄) uses the central nurse vowel ⁄ɝː⁄; ‘barn’ (⁄bɑːrn⁄) uses the open back ⁄ɑːr⁄.

Where does the syllable stress fall in "burn" vs "barn"?

"burn" has 1 syllable(s) (burn) with stress on "BURN". "barn" has 1 syllable(s) (barn) with stress on "BARN".

Why do English learners often confuse "burn" and "barn"?

Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: ⁄ɝː⁄ vs ⁄ɑːr⁄. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.

What are example sentences for "burn" and "barn"?

Example for "burn": "She had second-degree burns from falling in the bonfire." Example for "barn": "One day I was out in the barn and he drifted in. I was currying the horse and he set down on the wheelbarrow and begun to ask questions."