What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
phonemic
Example
The phonemic inventory of English includes 44 sounds. [phonemic: adjective]
Example
The difference between 'pat' and 'bat' is a single phonemic change. [phonemic: adjective]
Example
Phonemic transcriptions use symbols to represent sounds in a language. [phonemic: adjective]
phonetic
Example
The phonetic transcription of 'cat' includes the sounds /k/ /æ/ /t/. [phonetic: adjective]
Example
Phonetic features include voicing, place of articulation, and manner of articulation. [phonetic: noun]
Example
Phonetic symbols represent the actual sounds produced in a language. [phonetic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Phonetic is more commonly used than phonemic in everyday language, especially in fields related to speech therapy and language pathology. However, both words are important for understanding the sounds of a language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between phonemic and phonetic?
Both phonemic and phonetic are technical terms used in linguistics and language teaching, making them more formal than everyday language.
