Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: Words beginning in PS

Let me show you the Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation of words that begin with PS.

I am talking about words such as psychologist, psychedelic, and psychopath. These words look similar in Portuguese and in English, but the pronunciation of the PS is completely different, and that causes trouble both to English speakers learning Portuguese and to Brazilians learning English.

It is easy to pronounce these words correctly. I will show you 10 words in this lesson. Repeat out loud after me to practice.

I am certain that after you watch this lesson you will pronounce any word beginning with PS in Brazilian Portuguese with confidence.

Here is the trick to pronounce the PS in Portuguese

In English, we do not pronounce the P as the first letter of these words. In Portuguese We pronounce the P as if it was followed by a vowel.

Therefore, the first P in words like psychologist and psychopath is pronounced Pee in Brazil. Some may say that it is a subtle P. But the bottom line is that we pronounce it, and “pee” is a good representation of the sound for English speakers.

The video will help you get this with confidence.

10 Words in this Lesson

Here are the words that I pronounce in the video lesson:

PT – EN

1. Psicólogo – Psychologist
2. Psicologia – Psychology
3. Psiquiatra – Psychiatrist
4. Psiquiatria – Psychiatry
5. Psicopata – Psychopath
6. Psicanálise – Psychoanalysis
7. Psicodélico – Psychedelic
8. Psicossomático – Psychosomatic
9. Psicose – Psychosis
10. Pseudônimo – Pseudonym

Want to learn more Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation?

Watch my lesson on the Brazilian pronunciation of words that end in IA, such as academia and delegacia.

Learn the different sounds of the letter R in Brazil and sound great when you say words such as Brazil, futebol, carnaval and tudo bem: Visit my Portuguese Starter Kit page to find lessons on the Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation of the letters R, D, G, and J, and the letters L and M at the end of words.

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