What is nephew? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of nephew

nephewnoun

/ˈnɛvjuː//ˈnɛfjuː/
Definition & pronunciation of nephew

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "nephew" in English. It can be a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Sounds:

  • ne - Pronounced like "neh" (as in "net") - short and crisp.
  • -phew - This is the tricky part. It’s a blend of sounds:
    • “p” - Like in "pen."
    • “hew” - This part is the key. It’s pronounced like “h-oo” combined. Think of saying "hoo" quickly, but just the "oo" sound.

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is essentially: neh-phew (with that quick "h-oo" in the "hew" part).

3. Phonetic Transcription (for advanced learners):

You can represent it phonetically as: /nɪˈpjuː/

  • nɪ - as above (neh)
  • ˈpjuː - the stress is on the "phew" syllable. The "phew" part is pronounced like "pyoo".

4. Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Focus on the "h-oo" sound: Really try to mimic that quick, blended sound. Don't draw it out too much.
  • Don’t overemphasize the “p”: It’s almost blended into the “h-oo”.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. Here are a few resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "nephew" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/nephew/ (This website lets you hear pronunciations from native speakers from different regions.)
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce nephew" - you'll find many good examples.

To help me tailor my explanation further, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning the language?
  • Do you have a particular dialect you're interested in (e.g., American, British)?

Usage and examples with the word nephew in English

Let's break down how to use the word "nephew" correctly in English.

1. Definition:

A nephew is the son of your sibling (brother or sister). Specifically, it's the son of your parent's brother or sister.

2. Basic Usage:

  • Describing a Relationship: The most common use is to identify a close family member.
    • "My nephew, Liam, is coming to visit this weekend."
    • "I'm so proud of my nephew, he got a scholarship to college."
    • "I have a great relationship with my nephew; we like to play video games."

3. Grammatical Notes:

  • Male Nephew: "Nephew" is a masculine word. It refers to a male child of your sibling.
  • Female Nephew: If a sibling has a daughter, that daughter is a niece. (Niece = daughter of your sibling)

4. Common Phrases & Situations:

  • "My sister has a nephew." – This clearly states the relationship.
  • "He's my brother's son." – A simpler way to explain who your nephew is.
  • Talking about family gatherings: You might say, "I'll be introducing my nephew to everyone."
  • In conversations about family: "I’m really enjoying spending time with my family, especially my nephew."

5. Things to Avoid:

  • Don't use it as a generic term for a child: Using "nephew" casually to describe any child can be confusing. Always specify that it’s the son of your sibling.

Example Sentences Illustrating Different Usages:

  • "My brother’s son is seven years old; he’s my nephew."
  • "I treated my nephew like my own child growing up."
  • "My mother and I were talking about my nephew's graduation."
  • "I'm hoping my nephew will visit us more often in the future."

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "nephew" in different contexts?
  • Explain the difference between a nephew and a niece more thoroughly?
  • Or perhaps you have a specific sentence you want me to help you phrase using the word "nephew"?

Synonyms for the word nephew

Practice with vocabulary nephew

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. My sister's son, a recent graduate, is keen to join our company. He is my ______.
  2. The company picnic included all employees' immediate family members. I brought my wife and my ______, who is the son of my brother.
  3. During the annual family gathering, my brother's daughter always entertains everyone with her stories. She is my beloved ______.
  4. The board meeting agenda required a detailed financial report, which was presented by a junior ______ from the accounting department, not a family member.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms correctly identifies the male child of your sibling? A. Grandson B. Nephew C. Cousin D. Brother

  2. My brother's son, Mark, is visiting from university. He is a bright engineering student and a valued member of our family. Mark is my ______. (Select all that apply.) A. Nephew B. Young relative C. Immediate family member D. Sibling

  3. My boss introduced me to his sister's son at the company's charity event, referring to him as his ______. A. Nephew B. Cousin C. Protégé D. Colleague

  4. My aunt's daughter, who works in the same industry as me, often attends the same professional conferences. She is my ______. (Select all that apply.) A. Niece B. Colleague C. Cousin D. Acquaintance

  5. Which of the following terms broadly describes a male member of your extended family, but is not necessarily your "nephew" or "son"? (Select all that apply.) A. Grandson B. Cousin C. Relative D. Grandfather

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My brother's young son often asks me for advice on his school projects. Rewrite using "nephew" or related word forms:

  2. The male child of my sister recently graduated from business school and is looking for a job. Rewrite using "nephew" or related word forms:

  3. My father's sister's son, who lives abroad, sent us a postcard from his travels. Rewrite without using "nephew":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. nephew
  2. nephew
  3. niece
  4. analyst

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B. Nephew
  2. A. Nephew, B. Young relative, C. Immediate family member
  3. A. Nephew
  4. B. Colleague, C. Cousin, D. Acquaintance
  5. A. Grandson, B. Cousin, C. Relative

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My nephew often asks me for advice on his school projects.
  2. My nephew recently graduated from business school and is looking for a job.
  3. My cousin, who lives abroad, sent us a postcard from his travels.

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