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Why "herb" sounds different in British English
British English says /hɜːb/: a clear H, then the long R-less vowel of "bird". American English says /ɝːb/, with a silent H and an R-coloured vowel.
The word came from French, where the H is silent, and American English kept that older pronunciation. British English started pronouncing the H in the 19th century, following the spelling. So British "a herb" and American "an herb" are both correct in their own accents.
How to say "herb" like a Brit, step by step
- Breathe out a clear h.
- Say the long er vowel of "bird", with no R and no tongue curl.
- Close with a soft b.
- Use "a", not "an": a herb.
Practise "herb" in a sentence
- Add some fresh herbs to the sauce.
- We grow herbs in the garden.
- Which herb goes best with lamb?
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce herb in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, herb is pronounced /hɜːb/, roughly "HERB (H pronounced)". The H is pronounced, and the vowel is the R-less "er" of "bird".
Is the American pronunciation of herb wrong?
No. /ɝːb/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /hɜːb/.