how to pronounce tan

/ˈtæn/

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the above transcription of tan is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

tan is pronounced in one syllable

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1. example pitch curve for pronunciation of tan

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video examples of tan pronunciation

An example use of tan in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… be pale uh not nearly as tan as me so …”

meanings of tan

noun:

The bark of an oak or other tree from which tannic acid is obtained.
A twig or small switch.
Initialism of total acid number, the measure of a lubricant's or crude oil's acidity.
Synonym of picul, particularly in Cantonese contexts.
A yellowish-brown colour.
An Armenian drink made of yoghurt and water similar to airan and doogh.
A darkening of the skin resulting from exposure to sunlight or similar light sources.
Initialism of transaction authentication number, in electronic banking.

verb:

To change to a tan colour due to exposure to the sun.
To spank or beat.
To change an animal hide into leather by soaking it in tannic acid. To work as a tanner.

name:

A Vietnamese surname.
A Chinese surname.
Alternative form of Dan.

adjective:

Of a yellowish-brown.
Having dark skin as a result of exposure to the sun.

numeral:

The second cardinal number two, formerly used in Celtic areas, especially Cumbria and parts of Yorkshire, for counting sheep, and stitches in knitting.

tan frequency in english - B2 level of CEFR

the word tan occurs in english on average 16.5 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for B2 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.