2 syllables: a, mines. Stress on a.
AY-meenz
/ˈeɪmiːnz/
amines is pronounced AY-meenz (/ˈeɪmiːnz/). It has two syllables (a-mines), with the stress on "a". Amines are a class of organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They play key roles in biochemistry and industry, including as bases and catalysts. In chemistry, amines are commonly categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary, depending on how many carbon-containing groups are attached to the nitrogen. The term encompasses numerous structures with varying properties and uses.
Amines are a class of organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They play key roles in biochemistry and industry, including as bases and catalysts. In chemistry, amines are commonly categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary, depending on how many carbon-containing groups are attached to the nitrogen. The term encompasses numerous structures with varying properties and uses.
- Misplacing the primary stress or weakening the second syllable, resulting in am-ɪnz or ə-MEENS. Tip: keep secondary syllable strong; imagine the word as a two-beat rhythm: AM-inez, with /f/ no, sorry, with /miː/ as a long, clear vowel. - Shortening the /iː/ to /ɪ/ or /i/ making the word sound like 'am-ins'. Practice with minimal pairs contrasting /iː/ vs /ɪ/ in the second syllable. - Overemphasizing the final /z/ or adding extra voicing; keep it as a clean /nz/ cluster without extra delay.
"The amines were isolated and characterized using standard spectroscopic methods."
"Primary amines can participate in Schiff base formation with aldehydes."
"Secondary and tertiary amines often act as bases in organic reactions."
Pronounce as ə-MEENS with the stress on the second syllable. IPA for US/UK/AU is /ˈæmiːnz/ (first syllable 'a' as in cat, second syllable long 'ee' as in see). Start with a light schwa in the first syllable, then strong E sound, then final z. Tiny mouth opening for the initial 'a' and a long, tense vowel in the second syllable helps clarity. Audio references: you can hear it in standard dictionary entries and pronunciation sites like Forvo or YouGlish; aim for smooth, non-staccato delivery.
Common errors include mixing up the vowel length in the second syllable (pronouncing it as a short 'i' like in 'mines'), and misplacing the final consonant, either voicing it too strongly (sound like 'z-') or under-articulating it. Ensure the second syllable uses a clean long /iː/ and that the final /nz/ is produced with a clear voiced alveolar nasal /n/ transition into the voiced alveolar fricative /z/. Keep the syllable boundary tight to avoid sounding like 'am-inz' with a weak second vowel.
In US/UK/AU, the word is rhymed as /ˈæmiːnz/. The main variation is vowel quality: US tends to purer /æ/ with slightly tenser /iː/; UK often has a slightly shorter /iː/ and non-rhotic R patterns do not apply here since there is no R. Australian tends to a more centralized initial /æ/ and slightly broader diphthongization on the /iː/ depending on speaker. The final /nz/ remains voiced in all. Overall, the rhythm remains stress on the first or second syllable depending on dialect; in all cases, the second syllable is stressed or at least prominent due to the long /iː/ vowel.
The challenge lies in balancing the short open-front /æ/ with the long tense /iː/ and then smoothly transitioning to the final voiced nasal+fricative /nz/. Many speakers blur the /iː/ into a short /ɪ/ or mispronounce the /nz/ cluster, creating a sound closer to 'amenz' or 'amines' with a lingering nasal at the end. Practicing the complete /ˈæmiːnz/ sequence, focusing on the jaw and tongue position for /æ/ and maintaining a high-front position for /iː/ before a quick, clean /nz/ helps deliver a precise, standard pronunciation.
A unique feature is the long, tense vowel in the second syllable /iː/, which requires a controlled height of the tongue and forward placement to keep the vowel distinct from a potential /ɪ/ or /e/. Additionally, the /nz/ cluster demands a quick, continuous transition from the vowel into a voiced nasal-stop-like release into a voiced fricative. Practitioners should monitor lip rounding subtly and avoid rounding during the /æ/ onset to maintain a crisp, scientifically precise delivery.
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- US: maintain a tight jaw and a slightly higher tongue position for /æ/; ensure your /iː/ is long but not creaky. USA often reduces unstressed vowels; try to keep stress clear on the second syllable despite fast speech. - UK: more precise articulation of /æ/ with less rounding; /iː/ pronounced with a clearer, tenser quality; ensure the final /nz/ is voiced cleanly without vowel intrusion. - AU: similar to US but with a slightly more centralized /æ/ and more relaxed jaw; keep the /iː/ duration long but smooth, avoid gliding into /ɪ/. - IPA references: /ˈæmiːnz/; cockpit to mouth positions: start with /æ/ between low to mid, advance to /iː/ with high tongue blade, finish with /nz/ with tip behind upper teeth.
The word amine originates from the Danish word aminen, itself derived from amoniak (ammonia). The term entered scientific usage in the 19th century as chemists sought systematic names for nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Early chemists distinguished ammonia as a simple, inorganic nitrogen source; as organic chemistry expanded, the class of compounds containing nitrogen bonded to carbon chains or rings was christened as amines. The root
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "amines" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "amines" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "amines"
-nts sounds
-nes sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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