3 syllables: E, mi, grate. Stress on E.
EM-uh-grayt
/ˈɛməˌɡɹeɪt/
Emigrate is pronounced EM-uh-grayt (/ˈɛməˌɡɹeɪt/). It has three syllables (E-mi-grate), with the stress on "E". Emigrate is a verb meaning to leave one's country to live in another. It emphasizes relocation across borders, typically by choice, and contrasts with immigrate, which focuses on entering a new country. The term highlights the act of moving away from one’s homeland for permanent residence or long-term settlement.
verbEmigrate is a verb meaning to leave one's country to live in another. It emphasizes relocation across borders, typically by choice, and contrasts with immigrate, which focuses on entering a new country. The term highlights the act of moving away from one’s homeland for permanent residence or long-term settlement.
- Common Mistake 1: Mis-stressing: Put primary stress on the first syllable (EM-i-grate). Correction: place stress on the second syllable (em-IG-rate) and maintain clear /ɪ/ in the first syllable. - Common Mistake 2: Vowel laxity: Reduce /ɪ/ to a schwa in the first syllable; keep crisp /ɪ/. Correction: practice /ɪ/ as in kit, not a lazy schwa. - Common Mistake 3: Final /reɪt/ slur: Run the /reɪt/ together; do not drop the /t/ or glide the /eɪ/ into a long /ɪ/. Correction: end with a crisp /t/ after /reɪ/; hold the diphthong clearly.
"She decided to emigrate to Canada for better job opportunities."
"The family emigrated from Ireland in the 1920s due to economic hardship."
"Many skilled workers choose to emigrate to Australia or Western Europe."
Pronounce as ih-MIG-rayt, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /ˌɪˈmɪɡˌreɪt/ or /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/, UK/AU typically /ˈɛmɪˌɡreɪt/ or /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/. Start with the short /ɪ/ then /ˈmɪ/ before the /ɡreɪt/. Ensure the /g/ is a hard stop and the final /eɪt/ is a tense diphthong.
Two common errors: 1) Misplacing stress: speakers often place primary stress on the first syllable as in EM-i-grate; correct is on the second: i-MIG-rate. 2) Vowel quality in the second syllable: some say /ˈɛmɪɡˌreɪt/ with a weak /ɪ/; ensure the second syllable has a clear /ɪ/ then /ɡreɪt/. Focus on the /ɪ/ in the first syllable and the /eɪ/ in the final diphthong.
US: often /ˌɪˈmɪɡrɛɪt/ with clear /ɪ/ in first syllable and /ɪ/ or /ɡrɛɪt/ depending. UK: /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/ with less vowel reduction, rhoticity affects /r/ subtlety. AU: /ˌɪˈmɪɡreɪt/ or /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/ with broader vowel quality; final /ɪt/ sometimes softened in rapid speech. Across all, primary stress typically on the second syllable; the /ɡ/ is a hard stop; the final diphthong /reɪt/ remains consistent.
Because of the two-syllable structure with a medial /m/ cluster and the final /reɪt/ diphthong, many learners misplace the stress or flatten the /ɪ/ into a schwa. The transition from /mɪ/ to /ɡreɪt/ requires precise tongue movement: lips slightly rounded for /reɪt/, jaw relaxation to avoid tense /æ/ shifts, and clear separation between syllables for natural rhythm.
Does 'emigrate' ever reduce to 'emigrate' with first syllable reduced in fast speech? In careful speech, you’ll hear /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/; in rapid speech some speakers reduce the first syllable slightly to /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/ or /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪt/, but the primary stress remains on the second syllable to preserve meaning and avoid ambiguity with 'immigrate'.
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- US: emphasize rhotics? Depending on speaker, /ɹ/ is prominent; mouth opens slightly wider for /ɪ/. - UK: less rhoticity can affect the /r/; keep a light, non-rotic /r/ or silent depending on region but maintain the /reɪt/ as a clear final. - AU: more diphthongal quality; the /ɪ/ in the first syllable is close to /ɪ/ in 'kit'; final /reɪt/ is pronounced with crisp onset. IPA references: US /ˌɪˈmɪɡreɪt/, UK /ɪˈmɪɡreɪt/, AU /ˌɪˈmɪɡreɪt/.
Emigrate comes from the Latin prefix e- (out) + migrate (to move, wander) from the Latin migrare, meaning to depart or move. The modern English word emerged in the 16th century as a coordinated form with immigrant, both derived from the Old French émigrer, itself from Latin emigratus (to move away, depart). The term gradually specialized to describe leaving one’s country to settle elsewhere, distinguishing the act from immigration, which focuses on entering a new country. The dual forms emotionalize national origin and destination, with emigrate emphasizing departure. First known uses can be traced to early modern English texts discussing people relocating due to political, economic, or religious reasons; the sense solidified through 17th–19th century debates on colonization and migration. Over time, emigrate has retained its emphasis on the act of departure (em- out) while retaining its roots in migratory movement across borders, rather than within a country.
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