What is sour? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of sour

souradjective

/ˈsaʊə/
Definition & pronunciation of sour

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sour." Here's a breakdown of the sounds and how to put them together:

1. Syllables:

The word "sour" has two syllables:

  • sour (sounds like "sohr")
  • er (sounds like "er")

2. Sounds:

  • "sohr":

    • "so": Pronounced like the word "so" – a short, clear "s" sound followed by a quick "oh" sound (like in "go").
    • "hr": This is a tricky one for many English speakers! It's a voiced "r" sound. It's similar to the "r" in "burn" or "butter," but it's produced further back in your throat. It’s a light 'r' sound - don't overemphasize it.

  • "er": This simply makes the sound "er" – like in "her" or "under."

3. Putting it together:

Say it slowly: "so-hr" then "er" = "sohr-er"

4. Tips & Considerations:

  • Don't say "sure": Many people mistakenly pronounce it like "sure." This is a very common mistake!

  • The 'r' sound: Focus on the voiced 'r' in "sohr." If you're struggling, try thinking of a buzzing sound.

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type “sour” into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/sour/ (This website has pronunciations by native speakers.)
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce sour" on YouTube.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a few more example words with the same 'hr' sound (like "father" or "car") to help you get the feel for it?

Usage and examples with the word sour in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sour" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. Taste – Primarily for Food & Drink:

  • Meaning: Having an unpleasant, sharp, acidic taste. It’s the most common meaning.
  • Examples:
    • "This yogurt is sour." (It has an unpleasant tartness.)
    • "The lemon juice made the lemonade too sour."
    • "I added a pinch of sugar to take the sour taste away."
    • "He poured a splash of vinegar to make the sauce sour."

2. Feeling – Describes a Negative Emotion (Most Common Usage Now)

  • Meaning: Feeling disappointed, disillusioned, or cynical, often after experiencing something that was once pleasant or enjoyable. It's a sense of bitterness or resentment.
  • Examples:
    • "After the company laid him off, he became sour about his job prospects." (He felt disappointed and skeptical.)
    • “She was sour about the party because she felt like it wasn’t really for her.” (She felt resentful and unhappy.)
    • "He’s been sour ever since he lost the election." (He’s disillusioned and bitter.)
    • “Don’t be sour about the delay; things often take longer than expected.” (Don’t be disappointed and negative.)

3. Appearance (Less Common)

  • Meaning: Turning a yellowish or greenish color, often due to decay or fermentation.
  • Examples:
    • "The milk turned sour in the heat." (The milk spoiled and changed color.)
    • "The apples started to sour on the tree."

4. Sharp or Harsh (Figurative)

  • Meaning: Can mean something is unpleasant or disagreeable (not necessarily related to taste). This usage is less common now than the emotional meaning.
  • Examples:
    • “He has a sour expression.” (He looks grumpy or unpleasant.)
    • “Her criticism was sour and unhelpful.” (Her feedback was harsh and negative.)

Here's a breakdown of how to use "sour" in sentences:

  • "Sour" + "taste": Describes the flavor of something. (e.g., "The grapes had a sour taste.")
  • "A little sour": Mildly unpleasant or disappointing. (e.g., "The weather was a little sour today.")
  • "Very sour" / "Extremely sour": Strongly disappointing or bitter. (e.g., "He was extremely sour about the news.")

Tips for Using "Sour" Effectively:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the context to determine which meaning is intended.
  • Consider synonyms: Depending on the meaning you want to convey, you could use words like:
    • Taste: tart, acidic, tangy, sharp
    • Emotion: disappointed, disillusioned, cynical, bitter, resentful, pessimistic

Resources to Learn More:

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

  • What are you trying to say or write that you want to use the word "sour" in?

Synonyms for the word sour

Idioms of the word sour

go/turn sour
to stop being pleasant or working properly
  • Their relationship soon went sour.
sour grapes
(saying)used to show that you think somebody is jealous and is pretending that something is not important
  • He said he didn't want the job anyway, but that's just sour grapes.

Practice with vocabulary sour

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After a week in the refrigerator, the yogurt began to smell distinctly _____.
  2. The company's initial excitement over the merger deal quickly turned _____ when disagreements over leadership roles emerged.
  3. The bread was _____ and crumbling, clearly past its prime for making toast.
  4. His _____ remarks about the project's feasibility dampened everyone's enthusiasm during the brainstorming session.

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

  1. Which of the following describes a taste often found in citrus fruits like lemons or limes? a) Sweet b) Tart c) Acrid d) Bland

  2. What might lead a friendly professional relationship to become "sour"? a) Mutual respect b) Unresolved conflict c) Shared goals d) Unfair competition

  3. Which words describe a situation or mood that has gone "sour"? a) Hostile b) Pleasant c) Unfavorable d) Optimistic

  4. Which words describe a food that has lost its freshness and firmness, often becoming brittle or unpleasant to eat, but not necessarily spoiled by mold or bacteria? a) Fresh b) Crisp c) Stale d) Rotten

  5. Which of the following describes a very strong, often unpleasant smell? a) Fragrant b) Pungent c) Aromatic d) Putrid

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The atmosphere in the room became extremely negative after the critical feedback was delivered. Rewrite using a form of "sour" or "sourness":

  2. Her consistently unpleasant and critical demeanor made collaboration difficult for the team. Rewrite using a form of "sour" or "sourness":

  3. The negotiations between the two companies deteriorated quickly after the unexpected demands were made. Rewrite the sentence without using "sour" or its forms, replacing "deteriorated quickly" with a suitable alternative:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After a week in the refrigerator, the yogurt began to smell distinctly sour.
  2. The company's initial excitement over the merger deal quickly turned sour when disagreements over leadership roles emerged.
  3. The bread was stale and crumbling, clearly past its prime for making toast.
  4. His bitter remarks about the project's feasibility dampened everyone's enthusiasm during the brainstorming session.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Tart, c) Acrid (Note: While "sour" is the target word, it's not among the choices here as per instructions. "Tart" and "Acrid" are correct descriptions.)
  2. b) Unresolved conflict, d) Unfair competition
  3. a) Hostile, c) Unfavorable
  4. c) Stale
  5. b) Pungent, d) Putrid

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The atmosphere in the room turned sour after the critical feedback was delivered.
  2. Her consistently sour demeanor made collaboration difficult for the team.
  3. The negotiations between the two companies took a downturn after the unexpected demands were made.

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