How to pronounce TR

How to pronounce TRsmall r

Are you pronouncing TR with a trilled or rolling sound?  If you’re struggling with this sound, I have a technique for you to try.

It’s often useful to think of the /tr/ sound as a /tch/ sound.

This is the sound we use at the beginning of the words: change, charge & cheap.

To create this sound, say the word change with a /tch/ sound, but keep the tip of your tongue a little bit tense as it taps your gum ridge.

This will help you stop the airflow, creating the correct sound.

Try these words for practice

  1. Travel
  2. Translate
  3. Tradition
  4. Traffic
  5. Trust
  6. Introduce
  7. Intrest
  8. Extra

Listen here

 

Russian speakers and Spanish speakers often find that this /tch/ technique really works. Try it to “tame” your trilling TR sounds.

About the author

Susan Ryan is an accent reduction coach and course developer. Contact her at susan@confidentvoice.com.