WAKE UP is a phrasal verb you'll hear and use every day. It's one of the first things we do each morning, so let's make sure you pronounce it perfectly.
Basic Pronunciation
Stress Pattern
Like most phrasal verbs, the stress falls on the particle:
- wake = less stressed
- UP = main stress (louder, longer, higher pitch)
Say it like: "wake UP" not "WAKE up"
Connected Speech
In natural speech, the /k/ at the end of "wake" links smoothly to the vowel /ʌ/ in "up":
- Written: wake up
- Sounds like: "way-KUP" /weɪˈkʌp/
Practice Examples
Different Forms
Present tense
Past tense
Present continuous
WAKE UP vs. GET UP
These two phrasal verbs are often confused, but they have different meanings:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wake up | stop sleeping (open eyes) | I wake up at 6 AM |
| get up | rise from bed (physical action) | I get up at 6:30 AM |
You can wake up at 6 AM but stay in bed until you get up at 6:30!
Separable Verb
WAKE UP is separable — you can put an object between the verb and particle:
Notice how pronouns like "him" reduce to /ɪm/ in natural speech!
Common Mistakes for Spanish Speakers
1. The /w/ sound
Spanish doesn't have the English /w/ sound. Don't substitute it with /ɡw/ or /b/. Your lips should be rounded but not touch.
2. The diphthong /eɪ/
"Wake" has the diphthong /eɪ/ (like "day"). Don't pronounce it as a pure /e/ sound.
3. Stressing the wrong word
Remember: wake UP, not WAKE up.
Practice Sentences
Read these aloud with correct stress and linking:
- "I wake UP at seven." → /aɪ weɪˈkʌp æt ˈsevən/
- "What time did you wake UP?" → /wʌt taɪm dɪd jə weɪˈkʌp/
- "The noise woke me UP." → /ðə nɔɪz woʊk mi ˈʌp/
- "I can't wake UP early." → /aɪ kænt weɪˈkʌp ˈɝːli/
Quick Summary
- Stress falls on UP: wake UP
- Link the /k/ to /ʌ/: "way-KUP" /weɪˈkʌp/
- Practice the /w/ sound with rounded lips
- Remember: wake up ≠ get up
Continue practicing with our guide on how to pronounce PICK UP.