What is salary? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of salary

salarynoun

/ˈsaləri/
Definition & pronunciation of salary

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "salary" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few tips:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈsæləri/ (stress on the first syllable)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈsæ - This sounds like "sah" (like in "sahara"). It's a short "a" sound.
  • lə - This sounds like "luh." A very short, unstressed "uh" sound.
  • ˈri - This sounds like "ree" (as in "read"). It's stressed.

Putting it together: "Sah-luh-ree"

Here's a helpful breakdown compared to similar words:

  • Salary is not like "salary" (the Spanish word).
  • It's not like "sallery" (that's a common mistake).

Resources to hear it:

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

  • Are you trying to pronounce this word for a specific accent (e.g., American English, British English)?

Usage and examples with the word salary in English

Let's break down how to use the word "salary" in English. It's a really common word, but it's important to use it correctly.

1. What is a Salary?

  • Definition: A salary is a fixed regular payment, usually paid on a monthly or bi-weekly basis, that an employee receives for their work. It’s typically a set amount, regardless of the number of hours worked (within certain limits).

2. How to Use "Salary" in Sentences:

Here’s a breakdown with examples:

  • Talking about your own salary:

    • "I earn a salary of $60,000 per year."
    • "My salary has increased by 5% this year."
    • "I’m looking for a job with a good salary."
    • “I discussed my salary with my manager last week.”

  • Talking about someone else’s salary:

    • "She receives a salary of £45,000."
    • "The CEO’s salary is significantly higher than the average employee."
    • "He's negotiating his salary for the new position."

  • Comparing salaries:

    • "The salary for this role is competitive within the industry."
    • "That salary seems low for the experience required."

  • Discussing salary components (sometimes used interchangeably with "pay," but often more specific):

    • "My salary includes a bonus based on performance.” (This is more than just the base pay.)
    • "The benefits package includes health insurance and a retirement plan in addition to the salary."

  • Formal Contexts (job offers, contracts):

    • “The offer includes a base salary of $75,000 and a performance-based bonus."
    • "The contract specifies the agreed-upon salary and payment schedule."

3. Key Differences Between "Salary" and "Wage"

This is crucial! “Salary” and “wage” are often confused. Here's the key distinction:

  • Salary: A fixed, regular payment, typically for professional or administrative roles. It's usually paid less frequently (monthly, bi-weekly) and doesn’t change based on the number of hours worked.

  • Wage: A payment based on the number of hours worked. Think of hourly workers (e.g., retail, restaurant staff). For example: “She earns $15 an hour (her wage).”

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Remuneration: (More formal) – A way of referring to payment for work.
  • Compensation: (Broader term – includes salary, benefits, etc.)
  • Pay: (A general term for earnings)

5. Common Phrases:

  • Take home pay: The amount you receive after taxes and deductions.
  • Gross salary: The total salary before deductions.
  • Net salary: The amount you actually receive after deductions.

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

  • What are you trying to use "salary" in? (e.g., writing a job application, talking to a friend, discussing a news article?)

Synonyms for the word salary

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