What is payment? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of payment

paymentnoun

/ˈpeɪm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of payment

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "payment" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈpeɪmənť/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "pay": Pronounced like the word "pay" (as in, "I need to pay the bill"). Sounds like /peɪ/
  2. "ment": This is where it gets a little tricky. It's pronounced with a "t" sound at the end, but it's not a hard "t" like in "top." It's a very subtle "t" sound, almost like a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. Sounds like /mənt/.

Putting it together: /ˈpeɪmənť/ (like "pay-men-t")

Here's a more detailed explanation and some helpful tips:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("pay"). That's why the "pay" part is emphasized.
  • The "t" sound: This is the key. Don’t overemphasize the “t” sound. It's a very light, almost clipped sound. You're not really fully articulating it.
  • Rhyme: It kind of rhymes with "beam-ment," although the "e" sound is shorter in "payment."

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "payment"?

Usage and examples with the word payment in English

Let's break down how to use the word "payment" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (the core meaning - something given to pay)

  • General Payment: This is the most common usage. It refers to money or something of value exchanged for goods or services.

    • "I made a payment on my credit card."
    • "The company accepted various forms of payment, including cash, check, and credit card."
    • "We received a payment for the completed project."
    • "I need to send a payment for the invoice."

  • Specific Payment Types:

    • Down payment: An initial sum paid when buying something large, like a house.
      • "They made a generous down payment on the new car."
    • Partial payment: A smaller payment made in addition to a larger one.
      • "He made a partial payment to cover part of the bill."
    • Final payment: The last payment to fully settle a debt.
      • “We’ll need to make a final payment to clear the account.”
    • Late payment: A payment made after the due date.
      • "There was a late payment which resulted in a fee."
    • Service payment: Payment for a service.
      • “The plumber charged $100 for the service payment.”

2. As a Verb (to pay)

  • To pay something: To give money in exchange for something.
    • "I need to pay the electricity bill."
    • "Please pay your taxes on time."
    • "She paid for dinner."
    • “He will pay for the damages he caused.”

3. Phrases Using "Payment"

  • Payment method: How you pay (e.g., credit card, PayPal, cash). “What payment methods do you accept?”
  • Payment schedule: The plan for making payments. “The payment schedule is monthly.”
  • Payment plan: A method of paying for something over time in installments. “They offered a payment plan to make the purchase more affordable.”
  • Payment due date: The date when a payment is expected. “The payment due date is November 15th.”
  • Payment receipt: A record of a payment made. “Keep a payment receipt for your records.”

4. Formal/Legal Contexts

  • Payment terms: The conditions regarding payment (e.g., when payment is due, how payment should be made). “The payment terms are net 30.”
  • Payment order: An official instruction to transfer funds.

Tips for Using "Payment" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: Think about what you're paying for and the situation.
  • Use the right tense: “I paid for the groceries” (past tense). “I will pay the bill tomorrow” (future tense). “I made a payment yesterday” (present perfect – emphasizes the result of the action).

Resources for More Information:

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

  • What context are you trying to use "payment" in? (e.g., writing an email, talking about a business transaction, describing a personal situation?)

Synonyms for the word payment

Idioms of the word payment

on payment of something
after something has been paid
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