Shadowing Practice: 2717 - Are These English Phrases Condescending? - Learn English Speaking with Video

Kies een oefenmodus

Elke modus opent een volledig scherm oefenruimte.

482 zinnen
Als zinnen te kort of te lang zijn, klik op Bewerken om ze aan te passen.
1
Hey there, Aubrey.
2
How's everything today?
3
I am great, Lindsay.
4
How are you today?
5
Doing good, doing good.
6
Aubrey, is there anyone in your life that you consider pretty condescending?
7
Oh, I do know someone who's really condescending.
8
And he means well.
9
I don't think he intends to do it.
10
But if ever he's talking about something that he's a bit of an expert in, like if he knows more about the other people around him,
11
his tone is really condescending and the phrases he uses.
12
There have been a couple of times where I kind of want to pull him aside and be like, yeah
13
because i don't think we need to repair this right yeah
14
i i feel like a lot of times people don't realize it
15
or it happens for different reasons uh for me uh the
16
triage nurse at my baby's doctor is kind of condescending
17
and you know when you have a new baby you call
18
because you're worried about things of course
19
and i can understand why she is a bit condescending
20
because she probably gets called and she understands the difference between an emergency and a non -emergency and And, but it's, it's kind of,
21
yeah, jolting when you hear it as a new mom and you just don't know.
22
Right.
23
I have gotten this from medical professionals as well.
24
And I think it kind of makes sense
25
if they're dealing with the same questions all day and the answer seems so obvious to them,
26
it's probably hard for them to keep the condescension out of their tone when they really just want to be like,
27
seriously, how do you not know this?
28
But for us, it's the first time it's the first time it's the first time exactly
29
so condescension i i'm not used to using that noun
30
but i guess that is a word right condescension is
31
that yes that's the noun
32
if someone is being condescending then this yeah they are creating condescension that's the noun yeah interesting
33
so it is a thing it is out to use a verb yeah yeah
34
but we usually just use the adjective condescending right exactly much more common
35
and this is interesting this was inspired by an article in HuffPost, Six Common Phrases You May Not Realize Are Condescending.
36
This is interesting to read through these because it's going to be interesting to talk about all of these.
37
Some of them definitely can be condescending depending on your tone, but a lot of them could also be perfectly harmless depending on the situation.
38
Tone is huge.
39
What you've said before is huge, right?
40
For your friend that shows up and every time he's condescending, that means next time he's also going to be condescending, right?
41
But if he were a brand new person, you didn't know him, he used a different tone of voice, it wouldn't be considered condescending.
42
So you kind of create a bit of a reputation for yourself, right?
43
Yeah, that happens for sure.
44
And I should share this was by Kelsey Morrison in July of 2026.
45
If you want to check out this article,
46
we're going to share those phrases and some similar ones that we might say or share and dive into.
47
We should probably first define condescending.
48
What does that mean, Lindsay?
49
So it's basically when we speak to someone in a way that implies our own superiority,
50
whether that's in terms of knowledge or abilities, right?
51
Or I don't know, whatever it is, you feel like you're above that person.
52
And that's when it's really hard to not be condescending for anyone.
53
If you're an expert and so every, something starts seeming so obvious to you and then someone doesn't know, doesn't realize that's when it's difficult.
54
It's kind of a fight to keep that judgment, that, you know, that condescending tone out of your voice.
55
Yeah, for sure. For sure.
56
All right, Aubrey, where do we start here today?
57
Yeah, so this is interesting.
58
So in the article, they interviewed Celeste Headley, who was the author of a book, We Need to Talk, How to Have Conversations That Matter.
59
And this was really interesting.
60
Headley said, when you are condescending, you are putting on a false persona of kindness.
61
But beneath that is a clear message of superiority you're treating them in a way
62
that shows that they are inferior
63
so this is really interesting the false kindness is sort of separate right sometimes you someone's an expert
64
and they know the answers
65
and then sometimes it's a little separate where it's um in the tone
66
because you're trying to hide that judgment you're trying to hide
67
that expertise with this sort of false kindness in your tone
68
but people can still hear that interesting interesting uh so why do you think people talk down to others?
69
Like, why do you think people even do this, Aubrey?
70
Where does it come from?
71
Yeah.
72
And that's a great brazil verb you're using there, right?
73
To talk down.
74
That's another way we say if someone's being condescending, you say you're talking down to people.
75
That we use even more in, you know, conversations.
76
I'd be like, don't talk down to me.
77
It means please don't be condescending.
78
Exactly.
79
We kind of touched on this briefly when we talked about the nurse, for example, they're encountering a lot of information over
80
and over the same questions it seems obvious to them
81
because they've experienced it many times right
82
but for the person on the other end they may have only heard
83
it once encountering it for the first time not realize how they sound
84
or maybe they do want the person on the end of the phone to know
85
that they think like you should have figured this out on your own sometimes there is sort of
86
that intent for it to let someone know that they think.
87
there's the reason you know
88
that they do they like want
89
you to feel stupid we'll have to see we'll see what happens next time I call her
90
so maybe you should put her in her place let's say no oh gosh yeah right
91
but other reasons people might do it is maybe they feel insecure
92
I mean this we're getting into psychology here right
93
but it's a known fact that
94
when someone feels insecure some people puff up right they puff up they get bigger um
95
and you can see right through it.
96
Some people get smaller, some people get bigger.
97
We can see this in some well -known politicians at the moment.
98
I'm not going to name any names.
99
But yeah, that's true.
100
You can see this feeling of insecurity when someone's trying to make other people feel small.
101
When they're criticizing them or calling them names, most of us can see like, oh, this is just an insecurity in the person who's being rude.
102
Exactly.
103
And again, sometimes they might not realize they're being condescending.
104
We've said that would be another reason people are this way.
105
What else, Aubrey?
106
Or maybe they do want to feel superior.
107
They want to feel like they're in control.
108
They want to show their knowledge, right?
109
That medical professional, they might, they're like, okay, I want to feel the, like all of the medical school I went to was for something.
110
They're sort of lording that knowledge over you.
111
Yeah.
112
This does make me think a lot of bedside manner and how it didn't used to be important or demanded by patients.
113
And now in 2026, it is demanded that doctors not only perform great medicine and be competent,
114
but they also need to be not condescending.
115
They need to be polite.
116
They need to have a good bedside manner.
117
Well, because once upon a time, there were no other options.
118
There was one doctor in the village that you could call.
119
Now we have so many options that doctors also have to be personable.
120
They need to make you feel, um, you know, or you could choose someone else.
121
Right. For sure.
122
Yeah, absolutely.
123
Um, all right.
124
So should we get into some of the phrases
125
that from the article they believe might sound condescending and we'll add our own opinion.
126
We'll add some nuance here, guys.
127
We'll, uh, show you some role plays.
128
We'll bring these ideas to life.
129
Yes.
130
So there are six phrases here.
131
We're going to dive into all of them.
132
The first one is, oh, how cute, or that's sweet, that's cute, or in the South, in the United States, we'll often hear, bless your heart.
133
These sort of all have the same meaning.
134
Yeah, exactly, exactly.
135
So here's a quick role play.
136
I tried to change the oil, but I just made a mess.
137
Oh, how cute.
138
We should probably take it to a mechanic.
139
So this is very condescending, right?
140
There are so many things I could say to be kind of like oh i appreciate
141
that you tried or like you did better than i could do something like
142
that instead to say how cute or like bless your heart right it's so true
143
and i feel like nine times out of ten
144
this is going to be a man speaking to a woman
145
most of the time right like that's that's what we're that's what i'm picturing at least i don't know
146
so there is a phrase of you guys i'm sure out there listening have heard it um mansplaining
147
and that did come up in this article
148
and women can do this of course
149
this is like someone who feels like they know more than the person they're explaining to
150
and so then they explain in a way that's very condescending
151
so it's been coined this sort of mansplaining
152
because men do this a lot not gonna lie
153
but i've definitely seen women do this i have done i have been guilty of this
154
and i catch myself but it's true nine times out of ten you're not wrong yeah
155
but no women's play women's planning is a thing and i call that out too.
156
A hundred percent.
157
We all deserve to be called out.
158
But I think a lot of times when people do the splain, they don't know that they're doing the splain, right?
159
No, they wouldn't do it if they realized how it's coming across, right?
160
Yeah.
161
Yeah, totally.
162
All right.
163
So what else, Aubrey?
164
Is there another one?
165
This is interesting.
166
So for this, oh, how cute, right?
167
If you are being genuine, if you're genuinely trying to express that something is cute or sweet, you could absolutely say this, right?
168
If you say this about a baby or a puppy, it's condescending when someone is trying to do something and
169
if they're failing then you are sort of highlighting the failure by calling it cute
170
or saying bless your heart that's what's condescending about it yeah i think
171
when it comes to gender
172
if you're worried about anything there i would just say ask yourself would you say it to
173
if you're a guy would you also say that to a guy would you say that to a guy
174
if if yes or
175
if not just judge
176
it based on is is it depending on who i'm talking to the gender of who I'm talking to,
177
or is it just what I want to say?
178
That's such a good point, right?
179
Am I changing this because of who I'm talking to, right?
180
Because yeah, that's true.
181
We can diagnose ourselves, our own prejudices, and try to improve that.
182
Exactly, exactly.
183
All right, so the second one that they believe is condescending is, well, actually, or Aubrey, there's a paired phrase here.
184
What is it?
185
It's, don't you think?
186
Yeah, these very similar meanings, right?
187
Let's dive right into a role play and then we'll dive we'll explain here
188
so maybe i'd say i heard the meeting was moved to thursday
189
Well, actually it's still on Wednesday, but it's been moved to the afternoon.
190
Yeah.
191
So it's all about when you're correcting someone, right?
192
If you're correcting someone and you use these phrases, well, actually, or don't you think like, don't you think you should do this instead?
193
Those do sound condescending.
194
Judging, condescending.
195
I know better than you do.
196
Now be careful here because there's a lot of context in which actually, or well, actually, it's still on Wednesday would be okay.
197
So if you take this chunk in itself, out of this context and into another moment, it might not be condescending.
198
So this is a very high level episode today, Aubrey.
199
Exactly.
200
Yeah.
201
If you just say like, oh, I'll be there at eight.
202
Well, actually I probably can't get there until eight 30.
203
I'm just clarifying.
204
Right.
205
So yeah, it all depends on the tone and the situation for this phrase.
206
It's when you're correcting someone or telling them what they should do instead that often comes off as condescending.
207
Oh my goodness.
208
Yeah.
209
So be careful there.
210
Uh, next one that we love here is, or we don't love if you're trying your best.
211
Yeah.
212
So maybe if I say, Oh, I'm trying to get along with my siblings, but it's really tough.
213
Yeah.
214
Well, you know, you're trying your best.
215
Yeah.
216
This is interesting.
217
Cause I could see people saying this and being very well -intentioned, but I get that it, you know, it could definitely come across wrong.
218
Because if someone is having difficulty with something, for example, if you've had a lot of job interviews and no success,
219
and someone says, you're trying your best, you're kind of implying that they're not capable of doing any better, which might not feel great.
220
Exactly, exactly.
221
So you're implying that there's a real ceiling to their ability, right?
222
Yeah, and this is subtle.
223
And so yeah, the person who says it might not even realize um
224
and that almost makes it worse that it's kind of
225
so passive you're trying your best you're trying
226
so what could we say instead i mean what like what should we say in
227
that case to not be condescending yeah i think just to show more empathy like i can't even
228
that must be really hard maybe ask follow -up questions
229
so yeah instead of just making this blank blanket statement
230
that's related to their ability right anything else exactly make comments on the situation like with the job interview situation,
231
you could say, oh, I heard it's a really weird job market right now.
232
You know, let me know if you want to run through your resume or so.
233
I don't know.
234
Offer to help or something.
235
Yes.
236
Anything that shows more empathy.
237
Yeah.
238
Yeah.
239
Okay.
240
Number four, Aubrey, what's the fourth?
241
All right.
242
You just need to or shouldn't you.
243
So this is jumping in with advice when maybe it hasn't been asked for.
244
Like maybe, for example, if I say I'm having a hard time sleeping at night.
245
You just needed to charge your phone in a different room.
246
Yeah.
247
So this, it implies that.
248
Well, it's interesting because maybe, but you've said it in such less condescending.
249
You'd be like, you know, what works for me is, or I heard that you could try this.
250
There are so many better ways to phrase something.
251
Whereas this, you just need to, or shouldn't you consider both our condescending ways to say that, implying that I wouldn't have thought of that before.
252
I think that what both of these do is they oversimplify the person, right?
253
And same with the previous example.
254
They oversimplify the person and what they're trying to do and the circumstance, right?
255
People are not simple.
256
You just need to do this and your problem will be solved.
257
Yeah.
258
It's never that easy, right?
259
Exactly.
260
Yes.
261
So better things, again, you could say, have you considered putting your phone in another room overnight?
262
Or one thing that worked for me was, yeah, like if you guys have been listeners of the podcast for a while,
263
Lindsay has given me that advice, but in a really respectful way, never in a way that felt condescending.
264
Exactly.
265
Exactly.
266
I'm glad she didn't feel like it was condescending.
267
I was panicking there for a moment.
268
Yeah.
269
You wouldn't be like, you just need to charge your phone another room and then you'll be fine.
270
She can see guys, it's all about connection.
271
It's all about the words, the words and the delivery and the context.
272
What you understand about me is that hopefully I'm not a condescending person right?
273
So you don't expect me to be condescending the next time.
274
So you're going to give me the benefit of the doubt that helps in my favor too.
275
Exactly.
276
Hey, quick question.
277
Do you want to feel more confident when you speak English?
278
If so, we made a free guide for you.
279
It'll help you avoid those common mistakes and start speaking more naturally in real conversations.
280
Go grab it in the description below.
281
And if this is helpful for you, make sure that you like and subscribe.
282
We're here five times a week to help you connect in English.
283
All right, Aubrey, what's the fifth?
284
All right, number five is it's not that big of a deal or it's no big deal.
285
Dismissive.
286
Yeah, let's not do this, right?
287
For example, it's been three months since I got laid off
288
and I'm starting to stress out oh it's not
289
that big of a deal you'll find something else yeah again totally dismissing the person's situation, their stress.
290
right exactly right and that's not what someone needs to hear
291
because especially if it is a big deal to them right to dismiss it with that's not
292
that big of a deal feels really um like you just
293
really don't care about their situation at all yeah is this
294
ever a good thing to say Aubrey would you would you say
295
or should we always stay away from you know I every now
296
and then do say this to my children who are making a really big deal about something
297
and they are creating more anxiety so then, but I don't know if I phrase it exactly that way.
298
It would be more like, I probably would say something like, okay, let's step back and think about like trying to give them some perspective.
299
And I don't know if I would just be like, this is not a big deal.
300
Why are you making a big deal about this?
301
Right, right, right, right.
302
Yeah, that's true.
303
I don't know if we should ever say this.
304
It's all about the words.
305
It's all about the words.
306
All right.
307
You wouldn't understand
308
or you wouldn't get it oh again this is putting someone in a box yeah um right
309
so let's do a role play okay my brother
310
and i got in a huge fight and aren't speaking i'm sorry to hear
311
that well you wouldn't understand you've never fought like this with your brother
312
yeah don't say that that's bad that's blatantly that's probably the worst of all i agree
313
and i i agree this is another one of those i don't know
314
if there's ever a time where you would say this
315
because whoever maybe it's true that they can't really understand
316
but they're trying to sympathize they're trying to feel empathy even
317
if they haven't been in that exact situation
318
and to totally discount their attempts at feeling
319
that sympathy is really cruel that's exactly what i was just going to say aubrey
320
there's never a time we've talked about maybe with some of these
321
there's another time another context another scenario not with this one
322
it's a really rude way to phrase things you wouldn't understand
323
or you wouldn't get it you're implying that they're not emotionally intelligent enough to understand an experience that they haven't been through.
324
And people do, people work to, to build that emotional intelligence, that empathy, that even if they haven't been through exactly that,
325
that they can still feel for you and care about your feelings.
326
Completely.
327
Especially if they're reaching out, they're trying to help you, right?
328
Don't, don't, don't bite them.
329
Don't turn around and bite them that way.
330
Right.
331
Exactly.
332
Okay.
333
Let's do a role where we have a few of these.
334
I'm sure how they might come up in a conversation.
335
And here I have just gone on a date and I'm telling you how it went.
336
So this is maybe us 30 years ago.
337
20 years ago.
338
20 years ago.
339
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
340
Perfect.
341
Let's do it.
342
I went on a date last night and I think I really like him.
343
Oh, let me start again.
344
Oh, how cute.
345
Tell me everything.
346
Well, we talked for three hours and I think we really connected.
347
Well actually you said that about the last guy too and you remember how that turned out.
348
I know but this feels different.
349
Okay well you're trying your best.
350
Maybe you're just getting a little carried away.
351
I don't think so.
352
I think it might work out this time.
353
Well if it doesn't it's not that big of a deal.
354
You'll meet someone else.
355
Don't tell me that.
356
I'm so sick of dating.
357
You wouldn't understand.
358
You've been married for ages and he's really great.
359
He might be the one.
360
Bless your heart.
361
You're already planning your wedding, aren't you?
362
I love this.
363
Oh my gosh.
364
Oh wow.
365
This is pretty bad.
366
We cannot be friends.
367
I know, right?
368
After this, the friendship might be over.
369
Yeah, it might be over.
370
I think I would blatantly end a friendship probably with someone if they were that rude.
371
I don't know if we would have been friends in the first place
372
if we were the type to use phrases like this.
373
Maybe you're like a distant aunt or something you know
374
so let's go through these the first one you said is oh how cute
375
and like this maybe could work if you're
376
if this is in your personality if someone's like i want a date
377
and you're like oh how cute but it also could be really condescending
378
if someone's like i went on a date
379
i'm excited to say oh how cute sort of um trivializes
380
it right it makes it seem like it's for babies yeah
381
if exactly i think i think the problem is the packaging here the whole the how
382
and the q oh how cute right it's very condescending
383
if you want to say this you're excited about your friend you know you see
384
that they're all um they're all excited
385
and they're you know they're really high on the event maybe say oh you look
386
so cute right now it's so exciting that you met someone you like
387
that could be okay right i would just be like that's awesome that's exciting, right?
388
Oh, how cute.
389
Just because it's so, it can easily sound condescending.
390
I would avoid it if you're talking about anything but like babies and puppies, things that are really cute.
391
Babies and puppies.
392
Stick to babies and puppies.
393
I think you're right.
394
That's really safe.
395
Right.
396
And then you said, I was like, oh, we talked for three hours.
397
We're really connected.
398
And you say, well, actually you said that about the last time.
399
So you're really taking the window out of my sails with this phrase.
400
Well, actually you're sort of correcting me and bringing me back to reality
401
and you could see how a friend would do this if they're like okay, let's calm down.
402
You've said that about every guy you've ever dated, but how cruel to do that.
403
If someone's excited about a date, let them be excited.
404
Yeah.
405
It's just straight up mean, right?
406
It's just, you want, let them have that excitement, that optimism, not knowing what's going to happen.
407
It's exciting.
408
Right.
409
Yeah.
410
Um, and then you said, I know, but this feels different.
411
And I said, okay, well you're trying your best.
412
Yeah.
413
You're like, cause you really feel like i'm getting excited before i should right you're like you
414
and you say
415
that you say you're getting a little i think
416
you might be getting carried away like you're trying to get me to manage my expectations
417
because i've clearly come
418
and told you about lots of guys i was excited about it didn't work out
419
but the phrases that you're using yeah are kind of condescending critical
420
right well you're trying your best exactly good job putting yourself out there
421
right very condescending and then you said i don't think so i think it might work out this time
422
And you said, or I said, well, if it doesn't, it's not that big of a deal.
423
Yeah.
424
This is terrible.
425
It doesn't matter anyways.
426
Especially if someone's been dating forever and they're so sick of the apps or whatever to tell them like,
427
oh, it's not a big deal if it doesn't work out.
428
It would be really terrible to hear.
429
No. Yeah.
430
Really bad.
431
You don't want, none of this is good.
432
And then you said, don't tell me that.
433
I'm so sick of dating.
434
You wouldn't understand.
435
Now you're going to bite me back.
436
Right?
437
Yeah.
438
I'm getting frustrated.
439
I'm like, you wouldn't understand how hard it is to be still dating, especially if you've been married for ages, right?
440
Yeah, this is exciting.
441
And then you said, bless your heart.
442
Those first ones we shared are, I think, the worst here.
443
Bless your heart.
444
I don't know that this could ever not be condescending.
445
I don't think so.
446
Yeah, guys.
447
All right.
448
So for a takeaway, I mean, this has been a great episode, Aubrey.
449
I'm glad we're able to grab these phrases from the Huff post, this article.
450
Again, guys, go check out the original article.
451
It's by Celeste Headley.
452
As we said, we need to talk how to have conversations that matter, right?
453
Don't be condescending.
454
That's kind of our message for connection.
455
Condescension does not lead to connection, right?
456
Yes, exactly.
457
And I think the two, I was kind of looking over the phrases.
458
I think we kind of mentioned this, but I don't know if I would ever say to someone,
459
it's not that big of a deal about anything they've shared that they do think is a big deal.
460
And also you wouldn't understand.
461
Those are two that I just don't know that there's ever a good time to say that.
462
Yeah, there's never a good time.
463
So just be aware of what you're saying, what the impact is that it's having.
464
Maybe observe people around you if you're not quite sure.
465
Observe when other people use those phrases, how people react, but always go for that connection moment.
466
Always go for that positive connection.
467
All right.
468
We don't want to hurt people for sure.
469
Yes.
470
Awesome.
471
Thanks for talking about this today, Lindsay.
472
I agree.
473
This is such an important connection moment to avoid accidentally being condescending.
474
That can really hurt a relationship.
475
That could be a deal breaker for a friendship.
476
Huge.
477
Absolutely.
478
All right, Aubrey, I'll talk to you very soon.
479
Have a good day.
480
Awesome.
481
See you next time.
482
Bye.

App downloaden

Alles wat je nodig hebt om vloeiend te spreken

AI UitspraakScoor elke zin
IPA OefeningBeheers elk geluid
WoordenschatBouw je woordenschat op
WoordenspelLeren terwijl je speelt

Zelfde Kanaal

FOR YOU

Aanbevolen Video

Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les

Deze spreekles is gebaseerd op de video “2717 - Are These English Phrases Condescending?”. Deze woorden komen het vaakst terug: condescending, exactly, phrase. Deze video bevat 482 zinnen en 4580 woorden om na te spreken. Het gesproken deel duurt 23:18. De spreker praat snel, ongeveer 197 woorden per minuut, dus reken op verbonden en ingeslikte klanken. 88% van de woorden hoort bij de 3.000 meest gebruikte Engelse woorden, dus de woordenschat is goed te volgen.

Belangrijke woorden in deze video

15 woorden uit de video die het leren waard zijn, met uitspraak en betekenis:

WoordUitspraakBetekenis
phrase zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈfɹeɪ̯z/uitspraak
tone zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈtəʊn/toon, noot
imply werkwoord/ɪmˈplaɪ/impliceren, inhouden
depend werkwoord/dɪˈpɛnd/afhangen
dive werkwoord/daɪv/duiken, onderwaterzwemmen
puppy zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈpʌpi/puppy
empathy zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈɛmpəθi/inlevingsvermogen, empathie
friendship zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈfɹɛn(d)ʃɪp/vriendschap
connect werkwoord/kəˈnɛkt/verbinden
bite werkwoord/baɪt/bijten
rude bijvoeglijk naamwoord/ɹuːd/grof, onbeschoft
kindness zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈkaɪnd.nəs/vriendelijkheid, aardigheid
noun zelfstandig naamwoord/naʊn/zelfstandig naamwoord, substantief
nurse zelfstandig naamwoord/nɝs/verpleegkundige
judgment zelfstandig naamwoord/ˈd͡ʒʌd͡ʒ.mənt/oordeel

Phrasal verbs die je zult horen

WoordUitspraakBetekenis
work out werkwoord/ˌwɝk ˈaʊt/uitrekenen
check out werkwoordonderzoeken
come across werkwoordoverkomen
calm down werkwoordbedaren
lay off werkwoordontslaan, de zak geven
show up werkwoordtentoonstellen
turn around werkwoordomdraaien
turn out werkwoorduitvallen, resulteren

Zinnen om te herhalen

Korte, volledige zinnen uit de video die je in alledaagse gesprekken kunt gebruiken:

  • How are you today?
  • Aubrey, is there anyone in your life that you consider pretty condescending?
  • It's, don't you think?
  • Why are you making a big deal about this?
  • You're already planning your wedding, aren't you?

Grammatica in deze video

De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:

StructuurIn de video
Voorwaardelijke zinnen if + zin, will/would + werkwoord — een voorwaarde en het gevolgif you're a guy would you · If you just say like, oh, I'll be
Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog telthave been · have gotten · you've said
Lijdende vorm be + voltooid deelwoord — het gaat om wat er gebeurt, niet om wie het doetwas inspired · be considered · is demanded
Betrekkelijke bijzinnen who / which + zin — extra informatie over een persoon of dingsomeone who feels · person who says · children who are

Uitspraak om op te letten

De spreker gebruikt 202 samentrekkingen en verkorte vormen, zoals you're, don't, I'm. Spreek ze kort uit, zoals je ze hoort.

  • De “th”-klanken: empathy /ˈɛmpəθi/, beneath /bɪˈniːθ/, sympathy /ˈsɪm.pəθ.i/
  • De klanken “sh” en “zh”: friendship /ˈfɹɛn(d)ʃɪp/, gosh /ɡɑːʃ/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/, intention /ɪnˈtɛnʃn̩/, politician /ˌpɑ.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/
  • Lange woorden — let op de klemtoon: superiority /sʊˌpɪə(ɹ).iˈɒ.ɹɪ.ti/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/, superior /sʊˈpɪɹ.i.ɚ/, anxiety /æŋˈzaɪ.əti/

Klanken die Nederlandstaligen lastig vinden:

  • Stemhebbende eindmedeklinker — /b/, /d/, /g/, /z/, /v/ niet verscherpen: phrase /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/, depend /dɪˈpɛnd/, dive /daɪv/, rude /ɹuːd/, observe /əbˈzɜːv/
  • /æ/ — opener dan de Nederlandse “e”: naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, package /ˈpæk.ɪd͡ʒ/, anxiety /æŋˈzaɪ.əti/, whereas /(h)wɛɹˈæz/, panic /ˈpænɪk/
  • /g/ — een harde plofklank, geen Nederlandse “g”: gosh /ɡɑːʃ/, goodness /ˈɡʊdnəs/, diagnose /ˈdaɪ.əɡˌnoʊs/

Zo oefen je met deze video

  1. Luister de hele video één keer zonder te spreken en noteer de woorden die je niet kent.
  2. Begin op 0,75× snelheid, spreek zin voor zin na en ga terug naar normale snelheid zodra het makkelijk gaat.
  3. Neem jezelf op en vergelijk met het origineel; let daarbij op woorden als phrase, tone, imply.

Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?

Shadowing is een wetenschappelijk onderbouwde taalleermethode die oorspronkelijk is ontwikkeld voor professionele tolkentraining en gepopulariseerd door polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. De methode is eenvoudig maar krachtig: je luistert naar native Engelse audio en herhaalt het onmiddellijk hardop — als een schaduw die de spreker volgt met slechts 1–2 seconden vertraging. In tegenstelling tot passief luisteren of grammaticadrills, dwingt shadowing je hersenen en mondspieren om echte spraakpatronen tegelijkertijd te verwerken en te reproduceren. Onderzoek toont aan dat het de uitspraaknauwkeurigheid, intonatie, ritme, verbonden spraak, luisterbegrip en spreekvaardigheid aanzienlijk verbetert — waardoor het een van de meest effectieve methoden is voor IELTS Speaking-voorbereiding en echte Engelse communicatie.

Shadowing-techniek: lees de volledige stap-voor-stap-gids →