What is keen? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of keen

keenadjective

/kiːn/
Definition & pronunciation of keen

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "keen." It's a tricky one for some English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /kiːn/ (rhymes with "bean" or "seen")

    • "K" sound: Like in "kite."
    • "ee" sound: Like in "see" or "meet." This is a long "e" sound.
    • "n" sound: A standard "n."

Here’s a breakdown with sounds:

  • K - as in "cat"
  • ee - as in "see"
  • n - as in "sun"

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the long "ee" sound. This is the key difference between "keen" and words like "thin" or "spin" which have a short "i" sound.
  • Don’t be afraid of a slightly drawn-out "ee" sound. It's not a quick 'i' sound.

Resources to hear it:

  • Google Translate: Say "keen" into Google Translate and it will pronounce it for you.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/keen/ - This site has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce keen" on YouTube for videos demonstrating the sound.

Do you want me to:

  • Record an example pronunciation?
  • Give you a list of similar-sounding words and how to pronounce them?

Usage and examples with the word keen in English

Let's break down how to use the word "keen" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different shades of meaning! Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Keen (as in enthusiastic or eager):

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It describes a strong feeling of interest, enthusiasm, or eagerness about something.
  • Synonyms: enthusiastic, eager, interested, excited, keen on
  • Examples:
    • "I’m keen to try that new restaurant." (I'm very eager to try it.)
    • "She’s keen on learning to play the guitar." (She's enthusiastic about learning.)
    • "He’s keen to help with the project." (He's eager to volunteer.)
    • "I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the matter." (I'm very interested in hearing what you think.)

2. Keen (as in sharp or pointed):

  • Meaning: This usage is less common now, but refers to having a sharp edge or point.
  • Synonyms: sharp, pointed, acute
  • Examples:
    • "The knife has a keen edge." (The knife is very sharp.)
    • "His keen eyes spotted the mistake immediately." (His eyes were very sharp and observant.)
    • "He had a keen intellect." (He was very intelligent and perceptive)

3. Keen (as in wanting something badly):

  • Meaning: This describes a strong desire or longing.
  • Synonyms: longing, desirous, wanting
  • Examples:
    • “He was keen for a promotion.” (He really wanted a promotion badly.)
    • “She had a keen desire to travel the world.” (She really longed to travel.)

Phrases You’ll Often Hear With "Keen":

  • Keen on: (Most common for enthusiasm) – "He's keen on football."
  • Keen to: (Most common for eagerness/desire) – "I'm keen to go to the concert."
  • Keen interest: – “She has a keen interest in history.”

Tips for Using "Keen":

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Don't overuse it: While "keen" is a good word, it can sound a little overused in some situations. Consider alternative words like "interested," "eager," or "excited" for variety.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "keen" in? (e.g., describing your interests, talking about a plan, etc.)

Synonyms for the word keen

Idioms of the word keen

(as) keen as mustard
(British English, informal)wanting very much to do well at something; enthusiastic
    mad keen (on something/somebody)
    (British English, informal)liking something/somebody very much; very interested in something
    • He's mad keen on planes.

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