Pronunciation Lesson: Etcetera & Cooperate

Improve your pronunciation of tricky business words with this video lesson on etcetera and cooperate.

Etcetera (/ɪt ˈset̬.ɚ.ə/)

Many people incorrectly pronounce this word as "EX cetera." To get it right, break it down into syllables:

• First syllable: /ett/
• Second syllable: /SETRə/

Practice saying it slowly: etcetera.

Cooperate (/koʊˈɑː.pə.reɪt/)

A common mistake is pronouncing this word as "cooper-ate," treating both "O"s the same. Instead:

• Pronounce the first “o” as a long ō, like in "boat" or "co-founder".
• Pronounce the second “o” as /ah/, like in "walk".

Say it together: cooperate.

By practicing these tips, you can improve your pronunciation and sound more professional in business settings. Watch the video for more detailed guidance and practice exercises.