TRAY-ning
/ˈtɹeɪnɪŋ/
training is pronounced TRAY-ning (/ˈtɹeɪnɪŋ/). Training refers to the act of teaching or developing a Skill through practice and instruction. It can also describe structured methods or sessions designed to improve performance, fitness, or capability. The term emphasizes repeated, guided activity, often with feedback, to move from novice familiarity to higher proficiency.
Training refers to the act of teaching or developing a Skill through practice and instruction. It can also describe structured methods or sessions designed to improve performance, fitness, or capability. The term emphasizes repeated, guided activity, often with feedback, to move from novice familiarity to higher proficiency.
- Mistaking the /eɪ/ vowel for a plain /e/ or /ɛ/: keep the diphthong /eɪ/ by starting with /e/ and gliding to /ɪ/. Practise by saying TRAI- with a quick, clean glide into nɪŋ. - Overemphasizing the final -ing: avoid making the /ɪŋ/ as a full syllable. Keep /nɪŋ/ light and quick, allowing the nasal to flow into the /ŋ/. - Rushing the initial /t/: ensure a crisp, aspirated /t/ without a harsh release; after /t/, lightly roll into /ɹ/ or connect smoothly to /eɪ/.
"The company's training program helped new employees master safety procedures."
"Athletic training focuses on conditioning, technique, and recovery for peak performance."
"The military conducts rigorous physical and tactical training."
You pronounce it as /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/. The first syllable carries primary stress: TRA, rhyming with “bray.” The second syllable is a quick -ning, with a short, relaxed 'i' like in kit. Tip: start with a strong V+ glide on /eɪ/ in the first syllable, then reduce to a short /ɪ/ in the second. You can practice: TRA-ning, ensuring the /t/ is crisp and the /r/ blends smoothly into the /eɪ/ diphthong. For reference, listening to native pronunciations in reputable dictionaries will help you hear the exact rhythm.
Two common errors are substituting /e/ or a lax vowel in the first syllable (e.g., /træɪ.nɪŋ/ instead of /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/) and treating the second syllable as a full syllable with a clear 'ing' instead of a quick reduced -nɪŋ. Correct by maintaining the /eɪ/ diphthong in the first syllable and shortening the second to a light /nɪŋ/ with a subtle nasal release. Focus on keeping /t/ crisp and avoiding an over-emphasized /ɪ/. Listen to model pronunciations and imitate the mouth position.
In US, UK, and AU accents, the core /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/ remains, but rhoticity affects the /r/ in r-colored environments. US speakers may have a softer, more rhotic /ɹ/ before a vowel; UK and AU typically have non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech, making the /r/ less pronounced unless followed by a vowel. Vowel quality of /eɪ/ may be slightly more centralized in some AU accents. Emphasize the diphthong /eɪ/ in all, but monitor whether an /r/ is pronounced or silent depending on the accent and neighboring sounds.
The difficulty lies in the fast sequence of a strong initial /t/ with a crisp stop, a smooth /ɹ/ or light /r/ connection into diphthong /eɪ/, and a clipped final /nɪŋ/. Learners often mispronounce the diphthong or overly enunciate the final -ing. Practice switch: crop the /eɪ/ into a precise glide, then relax the jaw for the /ɪ/ and nasal /ŋ/. Mastery comes from syllable-timed rhythm and accurate timing between voiceless /t/ and voiced /ɹ/ before a nasal.
A useful tip is to carry the /ɹ/ smoothly into the nucleus of the diphthong /eɪ/ rather than creating a hard break: think TRAI-ing with a soft, rapid glide from /t/ to /ɹ/ to /eɪ/. This avoids an abrupt /t/ followed by a strong /ɹ/ and helps keep the first syllable compact. Additionally, keep the /ɪ/ in the second syllable light and short, preventing a heavy vowel that can dull the final -ing. IPA reminder: /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/.
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- US: rhotic tendencies may color the /r/ in connected speech; ensure you maintain the clear /ɹ/ before the /eɪ/ if the following sounds demand it. - UK: typically non-rhotic; you may not voice the /r/ unless it’s followed by a vowel; keep the /eɪ/ sturdy and the /t/ crisp. - AU: similar to UK, but with a slightly more centralized vowel quality in some speakers; maintain the same /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/ rhythm while avoiding over-enunciation. Use IPA references: US /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/, UK /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/, AU /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/.
Training comes from the Old French trailon or traine, and from the verb traindre, meaning to pull or drag, related to training of horses and the concept of preparation. In Middle English, training referred to a course of instruction or preparation, especially for a job or skill. The modern sense broadened to include systematic education and practice for proficiency. The term carries athletic and professional connotations, where a program or regimen is designed to build capability over time. First attestations appear in the 14th–15th centuries in contexts of military or crafts training, progressing to general education and fitness contexts by the 18th–19th centuries. The semantic evolution reflects a shift from physical preparation (hauling, guiding) to structured learning and repetitive practice aimed at long-term mastery.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "training" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "training" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "training"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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