What is chicken? Pronunciation and usage in English

chicken means . Learn how to pronounce and use chicken through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of chicken

chickennoun

/ˈtʃɪk(ɪ)n/
Definition & pronunciation of chicken

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "chicken" in English! It's a surprisingly tricky word for non-native speakers. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ** /ˈʃɪkən/ (SHIK-ən)**

Let's break that down further:

  • "Shik": This part sounds like "sick" but without the "k" at the end. It's a voiceless postalveolar fricative – a quick, airy "sh" sound.
  • "ən": This is a short, unstressed vowel sound, like the "a" in "about" or "up". It's a schwa sound (ə).

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  1. Start with the "ch": The "ch" sound is a bit tricky. It’s not like the "ch" in "chair." Instead, think of it as a quick, breathy “sh” sound, almost like you're clearing your throat slightly. It's similar to the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch" (but shorter).

  2. Say "ik": Next, say the sound "ik," somewhat like the "ick" in "pick."

  3. Finally, add the "ən": Finish with a very short, relaxed "ən" sound – think of the “a” in “about.”

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Google Translate: Type "chicken" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/chicken/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "How to pronounce chicken" on YouTube for many video demonstrations.

Important Notes:

  • Regional Variations: Pronunciation can vary slightly depending on where you are in the English-speaking world (e.g., American vs. British English). The /ˈʃɪkən/ pronunciation is generally considered more standard.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (generally)? (e.g., US, UK, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word chicken in English

Let's break down how to use the word "chicken" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a detailed look:

1. The Most Common Meaning: A Farm Animal

  • Definition: A domestic fowl, typically raised for meat and eggs.
  • Examples:
    • "I bought some chicken for dinner."
    • "The farmer raised a lot of chickens."
    • "We grilled a whole chicken last night."
    • "Chicken is a popular ingredient in many dishes."

2. Figurative Meaning: Nervous or Fearful Person

  • Definition: Someone who is timid, easily frightened, or lacks courage. This is the origin of the expression "chicken out."
  • Examples:
    • "Don’t be such a chicken! Go ask her out."
    • "He chickened out of the race at the last minute."
    • "She's a little chicken, but she’ll be okay."
    • "He’s a bit of a chicken when it comes to public speaking."

3. As a Verb (Meaning to Retreat or Back Down)

  • Definition: To flee or run away from a threat or challenge. Similar to "to chicken out."
  • Examples:
    • "The dog chickened when he heard the thunder."
    • "Don’t chicken when you face your fears."

4. Referring to Baby Chickens (Young Chickens)

  • Definition: The young of a hen.
  • Examples:
    • “The little chickens were peeping in the barn.”
    • “We saw a mother hen with her chickens.”

5. Chicken as Part of Phrases:

  • Chicken Feed: (Noun) - A very small amount of something, often money. "Don't expect to make much money on that project – it's just chicken feed."
  • Chicken Soup: (Noun) - A traditional soup believed to have healing properties, particularly when someone is sick. "My mom always makes the best chicken soup when I’m feeling under the weather."
  • Chicken Pot Pie: (Noun) - A baked dish with a creamy sauce and chicken and vegetables.

Tips for Using "Chicken" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "chicken" is entirely dependent on the context of the sentence.
  • Figurative Use: Be mindful that the "nervous person" meaning is often informal and can sometimes be considered slightly condescending.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What are you trying to do with the word "chicken"? (e.g., write a sentence, understand a conversation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word chicken

Idioms of the word chicken

a chicken-and-egg situation, problem, etc.
a situation in which it is difficult to tell which one of two things was the cause of the other
    something comes home to roost
    used to say that if somebody says or does something bad or wrong, it will affect them badly in the future
      don’t count your chickens (before they are hatched)
      (saying)you should not be too confident that something will be successful, because something may still go wrong
        play chicken
        to play a game in which people do something dangerous for as long as they can to show how brave they are. The person who stops first has lost the game.
        • The children had been playing chicken by running across the railway line.
        run around like a headless chicken
        to be very busy and active trying to do something, but not very organized, with the result that you do not succeed

          Practice with vocabulary chicken

          Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

          1. She decided to prepare a __ for dinner, as it was quick and easy to cook.
          2. The farmer raised cows, pigs, and __ on his property.
          3. The recipe called for __, but I substituted tofu for a vegetarian option.
          4. He bought fresh __ from the market to grill for the barbecue.

          Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

          1. Which of the following is commonly used in a stir-fry?
            a) beef
            b) apple
            c) chicken
            d) carrot

          2. What is a common dish served at a fast-food restaurant?
            a) salad
            b) chicken nuggets
            c) ice cream
            d) soup

          3. Which of the following is a type of poultry?
            a) duck
            b) chicken
            c) salmon
            d) lamb

          4. What is a popular breakfast option?
            a) pancakes
            b) chicken sandwich
            c) sushi
            d) steak

          5. Which word describes a small farm animal often kept for its eggs?
            a) chicken
            b) cow
            c) sheep
            d) goat

          Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

          1. Original: The chef prepared a delicious meal with poultry.
            Rewritten: The chef prepared a delicious meal with __.

          2. Original: She ordered a sandwich with grilled meat for lunch.
            Rewritten: She ordered a sandwich with __ for lunch.

          3. Original: The farmer sold eggs from his chickens at the market.
            Rewritten: The farmer sold eggs from his __ at the market.

          Answer:

          Exercise 1:

          1. chicken
          2. chickens
          3. chicken
          4. steak

          Exercise 2:

          1. a) beef, c) chicken, d) carrot
          2. b) chicken nuggets
          3. a) duck, b) chicken
          4. a) pancakes
          5. a) chicken

          Exercise 3:

          1. The chef prepared a delicious meal with chicken.
          2. She ordered a sandwich with chicken for lunch.
          3. The farmer sold eggs from his hens at the market.

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