Pronunciation of quem

How do I pronounce quem?

I’m not sure if English is your native language, or where you are hailing from. Here is what I’ll say from my North Eastern, American English.

Quem = Kime, like the English word ā€˜time,’ (but don’t let your lips reach full closer as you get to that ā€˜m’ sound). What’s actually happening with my mouth when I say it is that I’m ending with the arc of my tongue against the roof of my mouth.

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I should have said that it’s ā€˜kime’ like ā€˜time’.

English is actually my native tongue despite my Arabic first and last names. The linguistic origins of someone’s name are not always a telling sign of what their first language is.

I’m originally from Sudbury Ontario Canada, but grew up in the Northeast US which is a home away from home for me. So I pronounce time in a northern us accent and know how American northerns pronounce time.

Last but not least, I have already put to use your strategy for pronouncing quem correctly and so far it has worked.

In the U.S. you can never tell by a person’s name where they may be from. And on Practice Portuguese, I’m even less likely to be able to guess. :slight_smile:

I am so glad to hear that my explanation worked. Good luck with your Portuguese!

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That’s true - If I just look at your first name, I would think you’re French. Your ancestors must have come from France and settled in the U.S.

Portuguese is a beautiful language and I’m happy to be learning it even though its pronunciation can be quite challenging.

Speak up if you have any other pronunciation questions. I love trying to figure out how to explain the trickier sounds. I’m assuming that your being able to put it into practice right away was with the recorded ā€œtestsā€.

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What do you mean recorded tests?

The sort of ā€œtest your pronunciationā€ towards the ends of lesson–where you hit the microphone to record yourself and they tell you how well you’re doing.

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That feature is really a game changer in my Portuguese learning journey.

I have yet to practice saying the word in a recording. It probably won’t happen until I go through the unit dealing with interrogatives.

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