2 syllables: fi, nish. Stress on fi.
FIN-ish
/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
finish is pronounced FIN-ish (/ˈfɪnɪʃ/). It has two syllables (fi-nish), with the stress on "fi". Finish is a short, closed-syllable verb or noun meaning to bring something to an end, or the surface coating applied to a material. It conveys completion, conclusion, or a final layer, depending on context. In usage, it can describe completing an action, or the appearance of a surface after processing, with nuance shaped by tense and collocation.
Finish is a short, closed-syllable verb or noun meaning to bring something to an end, or the surface coating applied to a material. It conveys completion, conclusion, or a final layer, depending on context. In usage, it can describe completing an action, or the appearance of a surface after processing, with nuance shaped by tense and collocation.
"- Please finish your report by Friday so we can review it."
"- The painter applied a smooth satin finish to the wood."
"- After the race, he hoped to finish strong and secure a podium place."
You pronounce it as /ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/ in both US and UK English, with the stress on the first syllable. The first vowel is a short i as in 'fit,' the second is a reduced /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and -sh is /ʃ/ as in 'she.' Keep the mouth relatively closed in the first syllable and release quickly into the /ɪ/ before the /ʃ/.
Many learners insert an extra vowel or misplace the stress, saying feh-nish or fin-eye-sh. A frequent error is turning the second syllable into a full vowel instead of a reduced /ɪ/. Another is stopping the air after /n/ and creating a hesitant pause before /ɪ/. Practice by keeping a quick, smooth transition between syllables: /ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/, not /ˈfiː.nɪʃ/ or /ˈfɪnʃ/.
In US, UK, and AU, /ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/ remains the core, with rhoticity not affecting this word since it ends with /ʃ/. Differences lie mainly in connected speech: US tends to keep the /ɪ/ sound short and crisp; UK often has a slightly more centralized or clipped /ɪ/ and smoother linking; AU may exhibit a more relaxed vowel quality and a softer /ʃ/. Overall, the primary phonemes stay the same, but vowel duration and intonation patterns vary by accent.
The difficulty lies in the quick, smooth shifting from the vowel in /ɪ/ to a postvocalic /ɪ/ before /ʃ/. The sequence /n.ɪ/ requires precise tongue positioning and a short, crisp release into /ʃ/. For some, blending the two syllables into one clipped unit is tricky, and the final /ʃ/ can be softened or misarticulated if the lips aren’t rounded enough or the tongue isn’t high enough near the palate.
A distinctive feature is the quick, precise transition between the two short vowels /ɪ/ and /ɪ/ in /nɪ/; many learners mispronounce it as /ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/ with a clearer vowel in the second syllable. Keeping a tight, almost rapid glide from /n/ into /ɪ/ and preventing a vowel lengthening before /ʃ/ helps achieve natural rhythm. Practice with minimal pairs that emphasize the /nɪ/ boundary.
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Finish originates from the Old French finir, from Latin finire, meaning to limit, bound, or end. The path into English likely traveled through Old French during the Middle Ages, reflecting the sense of bringing something to a boundary or conclusion. By Middle English, finish appeared in the sense of completing a task or bringing something to an end, and by extension took on specialized meanings in crafts and manufacturing, where it referred to the final surface treatment of a material. The noun form finish, meaning the exterior surface or treatment, emerged in English use as crafts and production terminology expanded in the Renaissance and later industrial periods. First known English usage appears in texts from the 13th to 14th centuries, with early senses tied to boundaries and completion, and later senses connected to appearance and texture in finished products. The word’s evolution mirrors a shift from abstract termination to tangible results in object-making and daily activity. Modern uses cover finishing actions (to finish), outcomes (a finished product), and the surface characteristics imparted (polish, glaze, or coating). In short, finish has traveled from a boundary concept to a practical term for finalizing and detailing objects.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "finish" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "finish" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "finish" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "finish"
-ish sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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