Unexpected English Word Pronunciations You Need to Know

English pronunciation is full of surprises. Some words look easy but sound totally different when spoken. This short video breaks down five everyday English words that are often mispronounced by learners.

Let’s take a look:
• Carpet: You might think it’s car + pet, but it’s actually pronounced KAAR·puht, not car·pet.
• Cupboard: It looks like cup + board, but we say KUB·erd, not cup·board.
• Button: You’ll hear BUH·tn, not but·ton.
• Cupcake: This one is more straightforward—KUP·kayk—but good to practice.
• Outfit: Not out·fit, but OUT·fuht in fast speech.

Understanding these word reductions helps improve both your listening and pronunciation. Native speakers often drop sounds or blend them in everyday speech, which can be confusing if you’re used to reading instead of listening.

Watch the video, say the words out loud, and get closer to sounding like a native speaker.