What is nice? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of nice

niceadjective

/nʌɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of nice

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "nice" in English! It's a tricky one for some learners because it's not always how it looks.

Here's the most common and accepted pronunciation:

** /ˈnaɪs/ (Nyees)**

Let's break that down:

  • "N": Pronounced like the "n" in "no."
  • "Ai": This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like the "i" in "my" or "light." It’s a short, quick sound. It's not like the "i" in "ice."
  • "S": Pronounced like the "s" in "sun."

Here’s a more detailed breakdown and some helpful tips:

  1. Focus on the diphthong: The "Ai" sound is a diphthong, which means it's a gliding sound, moving from one vowel sound to another. It's like a little shift in your mouth as you say it.

  2. Short and quick: Don’t linger on the "Ai" sound. It should be a quick little flicker.

  3. Listen to examples: This is crucial. The best way to learn is to hear it correctly. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type "nice" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/nice/ (This site has pronunciations from native speakers!)
    • YouTube: Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce nice." You'll find many videos demonstrating the sound.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Saying "nise": This is a very common mistake. Don't do it!
  • Lengthening the "i" sound: Keep it short and snappy.

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

  • Where are you from? (Some accents influence pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word nice in English

Let's break down how to use the word "nice" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a lot of different shades of meaning! Here's a breakdown categorized by how you're using it:

1. General Pleasantness & Approval (Most Common)

  • Describing something good or agreeable: This is the most common use. You use "nice" to say you like something.

    • “That's a nice sweater.” (You like the sweater)
    • “It’s a nice day.” (The weather is pleasant)
    • “She’s a nice person.” (She is kind and agreeable)
    • “This coffee is nice.” (You enjoy the taste)

  • Expressing approval or agreement:

    • “That’s a nice idea!” (You agree it's a good idea)
    • “A nice touch.” (Something small and thoughtful that adds to the quality of something)

2. Kindness & Politeness

  • Describing someone’s behavior: "Nice" often implies politeness and friendliness.
    • "He was very nice to help me." (He was polite and helpful)
    • "Be nice to your elders." (Be polite to older people)
    • “She's always so nice and considerate.” (She consistently shows kindness)

3. Small & Pleasant (Often used for food & small objects)

  • Describing something small and enjoyable: This usage is very common, particularly for food.
    • “A nice little cake.” (A small, pleasing cake)
    • “They served a nice cup of tea.” (A small, enjoyable cup of tea)
    • "I had a nice walk in the park." (A pleasant short walk)

4. As an Adjective describing a quality (Less common, more formal)

  • You can use "nice" to describe a generally good or agreeable quality, but it can sound a little bland sometimes.
    • “It's a nice property.” (It’s a pleasant or desirable property) – “Excellent” or “attractive” might be stronger options sometimes.

Important Notes & Nuances:

  • “Nice” can sometimes feel a little weak or vague. If you want to express a stronger emotion, consider alternatives like:

    • Good: (general positive)
    • Fantastic: (excellent)
    • Wonderful: (amazing)
    • Lovely: (beautiful and pleasing)
    • Pleasant: (agreeable and comfortable)
    • Kind: (showing generosity and concern for others)

  • Don't overuse "nice"! Too many "nice"s can make your speech sound monotonous.

  • Context is key. The meaning of "nice" often becomes clear from the context of the conversation.

Examples of Different Situations:

  • Meeting someone new: “It’s nice to meet you.”
  • Receiving a gift: “Oh, that’s a nice present!”
  • Someone being helpful: “That was nice of you to offer to carry my bags.”
  • Responding to a compliment: “Thank you, that’s nice of you to say.”

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you trying to say? (e.g., “I want to compliment someone's clothes,” or “I want to describe a place”)

Synonyms for the word nice

Idioms of the word nice

as nice as pie
(informal)very kind and friendly, especially when you are not expecting it
    have a nice day!
    (informal, especially North American English)a friendly way of saying goodbye, especially to customers
      make nice (with somebody)
      (North American English, informal)to be pleasant or polite to somebody, especially when you do not really want to
      • He tried to make nice with his ex, even though he was still angry with her.
      • Cole and his opponent made nice for the cameras at the press event.
      nice one!
      (British English, informal)used to show you are pleased when something good has happened or somebody has said something funny
      • You got the job? Nice one!
      nice work!
      (informal, especially British English)used to show you are pleased when somebody has done something well
      • You did a good job today. Nice work, James!
      nice work if you can get it
      (informal)used when you wish that you had somebody’s success or good luck and think they have achieved it with little effort
      • He was paid £200 for a ten-minute speech? Nice work if you can get it.

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