What is relate? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of relate

relateverb

/rɪˈleɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of relate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "relate" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic pronunciation and some helpful tips:

Phonetic Pronunciation (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/rɪˈleɪt/

Let's break that down:

  • rɪ: This is a quick, almost unstressed "ri" sound. It's similar to the "ri" in "rib" but shorter. Your tongue should be lightly touching the roof of your mouth.
  • ˈleɪ: This is a stressed syllable. It sounds like "lay" (as in "lay down"). The emphasis is on this syllable.
  • t: A simple "t" sound.

How to say it (step-by-step):

  1. Start with a quick "ri" sound: (like a shortened "rib")
  2. Then, emphasize "lay": Say “lay” clearly.
  3. Finish with a "t": "t"

Putting it all together:

It's roughly pronounced: ri-LAY-t

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The most important thing is to stress the second syllable ("lay"). If you emphasize the first syllable ("ri"), you’ll be saying “rite.”
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn pronunciation is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google: Search "how to pronounce relate" on Google and play the audio.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/relate/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce relate" – you'll find many videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you an example sentence to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word relate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "relate" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Connect or Associate (Most Common Meaning)

  • Meaning: To find a connection between things; to see a relationship between them.
  • Examples:
    • "Can you relate that event to the broader historical context?" (Finding a connection)
    • "I can't relate to his obsession with collecting stamps." (Not understanding or finding a connection)
    • "They relate closely because they grew up together." (They are connected by a shared history)
    • "Scientists are trying to relate climate change to rising sea levels." (Finding a cause-and-effect connection)

2. To Tell a Story or Share Experiences (Personal Connection)

  • Meaning: To tell a story about something, often a personal experience. This is a very frequent usage, especially in informal conversation.
  • Examples:
    • "Could you relate what happened at the party?" (Tell me about it)
    • "She relates a funny story about her trip to Italy." (She's telling a humorous tale)
    • "He relates his struggles with anxiety openly." (He is sharing his personal difficulties)

3. To Be Related (Family Connection)

  • Meaning: To be connected by family ties.
  • Examples:
    • "They are cousins; they are related by blood."
    • “She wants to know if she’s related to any famous historical figures.”

4. (Verb - To Connect with Someone Emotionally)

  • Meaning: To empathize with someone’s feelings; to understand their experience. This is often used in the phrase “I can relate.”
  • Examples:
    • "I relate to her feeling of loneliness." (I understand how she feels)
    • "I relate to anyone who has experienced loss." (I understand what it's like)
    • “I relate to the character's struggles because I've faced similar challenges in my own life.” (I empathize)

5. (Noun - Relationship)

  • Meaning: A connection or association between things; a link.
  • Examples:
    • “There’s a strong relate between diet and health.” (A connection between diet & health)
    • "The therapist explores the relate between the patient’s past and present behavior." (The connection between those two things)

Key Differences & How to Choose:

  • "Relate" (to connect): Focuses on finding a logical or causal connection.
  • "Relate" (to tell a story): Focuses on sharing a narrative.
  • "Relate" (to be related): Focuses on family ties.
  • "Relate to" (emotionally): Focuses on empathy or understanding.

Tips for Using "Relate":

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand the intended meaning.
  • "Relate to" is common: The phrase "I relate to..." is extremely common when expressing empathy.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like “connect,” “link,” “associate,” “share,” or “discuss” depending on the context.

Could you give me an example sentence you'd like me to analyze, or would you like me to focus on a specific way you’re thinking about using "relate"? For example, are you wondering how to use it in a particular situation (like a conversation, a writing assignment, etc.)?

Synonyms for the word relate

Practice with vocabulary relate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The speaker struggled to ________ the complex scientific concepts to the audience's everyday experiences.
  2. The recent economic data clearly ________ a significant increase in consumer confidence.
  3. Employees often find it challenging to ________ their individual tasks to the company's overarching strategic goals.
  4. Effective communication skills are essential to ________ trust and rapport with clients.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. To build a cohesive team, it's essential for leaders to effectively ________ to the varied experiences and concerns of their staff. A) correspond B) resonate C) relate D) identify

  2. The new software update is expected to ________ significantly the system's overall performance. A) affect B) impact C) influence D) correlate

  3. It's crucial for the data analyst to ________ the raw statistics to the company's strategic marketing objectives. A) link B) correlate C) connect D) relate

  4. The project proposal must clearly ________ the expected benefits and potential risks to stakeholders. A) articulate B) convey C) present D) demonstrate

  5. Despite their different departments, Sarah and Tom always seem to ________ well with each other, leading to effective cross-functional collaboration. A) coordinate B) interact C) relate D) communicate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The findings show a direct connection between employee engagement and productivity. Rewrite using "relate" or a related word form:

  2. Original: Many people feel they understand the struggles of characters in realistic novels. Rewrite using "relate" or a related word form:

  3. Original: The manager was unable to understand the intern's challenging circumstances. Rewrite without using "relate" or a related word form:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The speaker struggled to relate the complex scientific concepts to the audience's everyday experiences.
  2. The recent economic data clearly demonstrates a significant increase in consumer confidence.
  3. Employees often find it challenging to relate their individual tasks to the company's overarching strategic goals.
  4. Effective communication skills are essential to build trust and rapport with clients.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) relate, D) identify (Also B) resonate, though less direct for "to the experiences")
  2. A) affect, B) impact, C) influence
  3. A) link, C) connect, D) relate
  4. A) articulate, B) convey, C) present, D) demonstrate
  5. B) interact, C) relate, D) communicate (Also A) coordinate, depending on context of "well")

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: The findings demonstrate how employee engagement and productivity relate to each other. (Alternatively: The findings demonstrate the relationship between employee engagement and productivity.)
  2. Rewrite: Many people can relate to the struggles of characters in realistic novels.
  3. Rewrite: The manager was unable to empathize with the intern's challenging circumstances. (Alternatively: The manager was unable to comprehend the intern's challenging circumstances.)

Comment ()