What is statue? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of statue

statuenoun

/ˈstatʃuː/
Definition & pronunciation of statue

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "statue" in English. It's a common stumbling block for non-native speakers!

Here's the most common and accepted pronunciation:

ˈstætʃuː

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • st - pronounced like the "st" in "stop" (short vowel)
  • a - pronounced like the "a" in "father" (long vowel, held slightly longer)
  • t - pronounced like the "t" in "top" (short vowel)
  • u - pronounced like the "oo" in "moon" (long vowel, held slightly longer)
  • e - pronounced like the "e" in "bed" (short vowel)

Key Points:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("stat-"). This is crucial!
  • "ch" sound: The "a" sound before the "t" is a tricky one. It's pronounced like the "ch" in "church" (but a softer, more relaxed "ch"). Many people find this the hardest part.
  • Long vowels: The "a" and "u" sounds are held slightly longer than their short counterparts.

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Google Translate: Type "statue" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/statue/ – Here you'll hear multiple native speakers pronounce the word.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce statue" on YouTube - you'll find many helpful videos.

To help me tailor my explanation, would you like me to:

  • Focus on a specific aspect of the pronunciation (like the "ch" sound)?
  • Give you a practice sentence to say it in?

Usage and examples with the word statue in English

Let's break down how to use the word "statue" in English. It's a pretty versatile word, but it's important to understand how it's used correctly.

1. Basic Definition:

  • A statue is a carved or molded figure of a person or animal, often made of stone, bronze, or other durable materials, and erected as a memorial or to honor someone or something.

2. Common Ways to Use "Statue":

  • Describing a specific statue: "The statue of Liberty is a famous symbol of freedom." "I saw a beautiful statue of a Greek goddess in the museum."
  • Referring to a collection of statues: "The park has a collection of Roman statues."
  • Talking about the act of creating a statue: "The sculptor was working on a new statue for the town square." "He's specializing in creating statues from marble."
  • Figurative Use (Less Common): Sometimes "statue" is used metaphorically to describe someone or something that is rigid, unfeeling, or unchanging. Example: "He became a statue of indifference after the bad news." (This is a more literary usage.)

3. Grammatical Points:

  • Plural: The plural of "statue" is statues. "There were many statues in the garden."
  • Articles:
    • A/An statue: Use "a" or "an" before the first statue you mention. "I saw a statue of a lion."
    • The statue: Use "the" when referring to a specific statue that has already been mentioned or is clearly identified. “The statue in the hall is particularly impressive.”
  • Prepositions:
    • Of a statue: "The statue of Abraham Lincoln."
    • With a statue: "She decorated the garden with statues." (More than one)

4. Examples in Sentences:

  • "The museum houses a remarkable collection of Ancient Egyptian statues."
  • “She commissioned a statue of her dog to commemorate his loyalty.”
  • "The town was known for its many stone statues of historical figures."
  • “The sheer size of the statue was overwhelming.”
  • “Don’t touch the statue – it’s fragile.”

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word statue

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