5 exercises on commonly mispronounced tech vocabulary.
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How is "cache" pronounced?
cache = "CASH" (/kæʃ/), one syllable, exactly like money. A very common mistake is "ka-SHAY", which is actually "cachet" (prestige). In computing the cache is always "CASH": "clear the CASH", "CASH hit", "browser CASH". It rhymes with "dash" and "flash". The "-che" spelling looks French but the tech word is fully anglicised to one short syllable. Say it confidently and quickly - never two syllables, never with a "ch" as in "church".
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How is "niche" most commonly pronounced in tech contexts?
niche = "NEESH" (/niːʃ/), rhyming with "leash" - the French-influenced pronunciation, common in British and increasingly American English. An alternative "NITCH" (/nɪtʃ/, rhyming with "ditch") is also accepted, especially in American English. Both are correct. You'll hear "a niche market", "niche use case". The "-che" here gives "sh", like in "cache". If unsure, "NEESH" sounds polished and is widely understood internationally. Avoid spelling-based guesses like "NICH-ee".
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How is "suite" (as in test suite, UI suite) pronounced?
suite = "SWEET" (/swiːt/), a homophone of the dessert "sweet". A "test suite", "office suite", "CSS suite" all use "SWEET". Do not confuse with "suit" (/suːt/, the clothing), which is "SOOT". So "test suite" = "test SWEET", never "test SOOT". The "ui" spelling produces a "wee" sound here. This trips up many learners because the spelling suggests "soot". Lock in "SWEET" for any software bundle or test collection.
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How is "genre" pronounced?
genre = "ZHON-ruh" (/ˈʒɒnrə/): it opens with the soft "zh" sound (like the "s" in "measure" or "vision"), not a hard "g" or "j". Two syllables: "ZHON" + "ruh". This French loanword keeps its original sound. In content or recommendation systems you discuss "content genre", "genre tags", "music genre". The "zh" onset is unusual in English and worth practising - it's the same sound that ends "version" (-zhun). Avoid "JEN-ree" or hard-g "GEN-ruh".
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How is "queue" pronounced?
queue = "CUE" (/kjuː/), pronounced exactly like the letter "Q" - just one sound, despite the five letters. The "ueue" tail is silent. In tech: "message queue", "job queue", "enqueue and dequeue". British English also uses "queue" for a waiting line. It is famously the English word where you can delete the last four letters and still say it the same. Never sound out the extra letters - it's simply "kyoo", like the name of the letter Q.