{"id":273151,"date":"2026-09-06T03:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T08:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273151"},"modified":"2026-09-06T03:01:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T08:01:02","slug":"word-stress-compound-nouns-b2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/word-stress-compound-nouns-b2\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Word Stress in English Compound Nouns (B2)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>In most English compound nouns, the main stress falls on the first word.<\/strong> This rule helps you sound natural and avoid misunderstandings. A compound noun combines two or more words to create a new noun with a single meaning, like <span data-no-translation>sunscreen<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>toothbrush<\/span>. When you pronounce these, you put more emphasis on the first part. For example, say <span data-no-translation>TEAcup<\/span>, \u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f <span data-no-translation>teaCUP<\/span>. This is different from an adjective followed by a noun, where the stress is usually on the second word, for instance, <span data-no-translation>a green HOUSE<\/span> (a house that is green). Understanding this distinction is key for clear communication and improving your English pronunciation at a B2 level.<\/div>\n<h2>What Are Compound Nouns?<\/h2>\n<p>A compound noun is a noun made up of two or more words. These words combine to form a new word with a single meaning.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They can be written as one word: <span data-no-translation>notebook<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>sunscreen<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>They can be written as two separate words: <span data-no-translation>traffic light<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>post office<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>They can be hyphenated: <span data-no-translation>sister-in-law<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>check-out<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-placement\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2B87DA,#29C4A9);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u270d\ufe0f \u81ea\u5206\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u304c\u308f\u304b\u3089\u306a\u3044\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">\u7121\u6599\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u5224\u5b9a\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3066\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a66\u9a13\u5b98\u304b\u3089\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u30d5\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u30d0\u30c3\u30af\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b0%e3%83%aa%e3%83%83%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a5\/%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ab%e3%83%87%e3%83%9f%e3%83%bc\/%e7%84%a1%e6%96%99%e4%bd%93%e9%a8%93\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#0A2540;color:#fff;\">\u7121\u6599\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30b9\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>The Main Rule: Stress on the First Word<\/h2>\n<p>For most common English compound nouns, the main stress is on the first word. This means you say the first part louder and with a higher pitch.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Think of <span data-no-translation>FOOTball<\/span>. We stress <span data-no-translation>FOOT<\/span>, \u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f <span data-no-translation>ball<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>Another example is <span data-no-translation>SUNglasses<\/span>. The stress is on <span data-no-translation>SUN<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>This rule applies because the first word often tells you the type or purpose of the noun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Compound Nouns vs. Adjective + Noun Phrases<\/h2>\n<p>This is a very important distinction for B2 learners. The stress pattern helps you tell the difference between a compound noun and an adjective describing a noun.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compound Noun:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>BLACKbird<\/span> (stress on <span data-no-translation>BLACK<\/span>). This refers to a specific type of bird.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adjective + Noun Phrase:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>a black BIRD<\/span> (stress on <span data-no-translation>BIRD<\/span>). This refers to any bird that happens to be black.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Consider another example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compound Noun:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>GREENhouse<\/span> (stress on <span data-no-translation>GREEN<\/span>). This is a building for growing plants.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adjective + Noun Phrase:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>a green HOUSE<\/span> (stress on <span data-no-translation>HOUSE<\/span>). This is a house that is painted green.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Why Is Correct Stress Important?<\/h2>\n<p>Using the correct stress pattern for compound nouns is crucial for several reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u660e\u77ad\u3055\uff1a<\/strong> It helps avoid misunderstandings, as seen with <span data-no-translation>GREENhouse<\/span> \u5bfe. <span data-no-translation>green HOUSE<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u30ca\u30c1\u30e5\u30e9\u30eb\u30fb\u30b5\u30a6\u30f3\u30c9\uff1a<\/strong> Your pronunciation will sound more natural and fluent to native speakers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Easier Listening:<\/strong> It helps listeners understand your meaning more quickly and easily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<caption>Compound Nouns vs. Adjective + Noun Phrases<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Compound Noun (Stress on 1st word)<\/th>\n<th>Adjective + Noun (Stress on 2nd word)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>GREENhouse<\/span> (a building for plants)<\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>a green HOUSE<\/span> (a house that is green)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>BLACKbird<\/span> (a specific type of bird)<\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>a black BIRD<\/span> (any bird that is black)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>HOTdog<\/span> (a type of food)<\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>a hot DOG<\/span> (an animal that is hot)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>WHITEboard<\/span> (a board for writing)<\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>a white BOARD<\/span> (any board that is white)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>\u4f8b<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>My favourite sport is <span data-no-translation>FOOTball<\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I need new <span data-no-translation>SUNglasses<\/span> for the beach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Look at that beautiful <span data-no-translation>RAINbow<\/span> after the storm!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>A <span data-no-translation>BLACKbird<\/span> sang a lovely song in the garden.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She lives in a <span data-no-translation>green HOUSE<\/span>, not a <span data-no-translation>GREENhouse<\/span> where plants grow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I bought a <span data-no-translation>HOTdog<\/span> from the street vendor for lunch.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Be careful, the <span data-no-translation>hot DOG<\/span> might be aggressive.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u7df4\u7fd2<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-985\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"985\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"A04 L3 PRONUNCIATION Stress in compound nouns\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-exam\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:#0A2540;\"><h3 style=\"color:#F2B705;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a3c\u3092\u53d6\u5f97\u3059\u308b\u6e96\u5099\u306f\u3067\u304d\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.92;\">Langcom\u306f\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u3001IELTS\u3001TOEFL\u3001DELE\u3001SIELE\u3001\u304a\u3088\u3073Michigan\u306e\u8a66\u9a13\u5bfe\u7b56\u30b3\u30fc\u30b9\u3067\u3059\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#F2B705;color:#0A2540;\">Langcom\u306e\u4f7f\u3044\u65b9<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>\u30b9\u30da\u30a4\u30f3\u8a9e\u8a71\u8005\u304c\u3088\u304f\u72af\u3059\u9593\u9055\u3044<\/h2>\n<p>Spanish speakers often place stress more evenly across words or sometimes on the last syllable. This can lead to a common mistake with English compound nouns: stressing the second word instead of the first.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>post OFFICE<\/span> (This sounds like an office that is 'post', which doesn't make sense.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>POST office<\/span> (This is the place where you send mail.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>tooth BRUSH<\/span> (This sounds like a brush that is 'tooth', not the object for cleaning teeth.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>TOOTHbrush<\/span> (This is the correct pronunciation for the item you use to clean your teeth.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This mistake can change the meaning of what you are saying or make your speech sound less natural to a native English speaker.<\/p>\n<h2>\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the main rule for stress in compound nouns?<\/h3>\n<p>The main stress usually falls on the <span data-no-translation>first word<\/span> of the compound noun.<\/p>\n<h3>Why is it important to stress compound nouns correctly?<\/h3>\n<p>Correct stress helps avoid confusion, especially when distinguishing between a <span data-no-translation>compound noun<\/span> \uff08\u4f8b\uff1a, <span data-no-translation>GREENhouse<\/span>) and an <span data-no-translation>adjective + noun phrase<\/span> \uff08\u4f8b\uff1a, <span data-no-translation>a green HOUSE<\/span>). It also makes your pronunciation sound more natural and clear.<\/p>\n<h3>How can I improve my stress in compound nouns?<\/h3>\n<p>Listen carefully to native speakers, practice saying compound nouns aloud, and pay attention to how the stress changes the meaning in pairs like <span data-no-translation>BLACKbird<\/span> \u5bfe. <span data-no-translation>black BIRD<\/span>. Recording yourself and comparing it to native speech can also be very helpful.<\/p>\n<h3>Are there any exceptions to this rule?<\/h3>\n<p>While the <span data-no-translation>first word stress<\/span> rule applies to most common compound nouns, there are a few exceptions. For example, some proper nouns (e.g., <span data-no-translation>New YORK<\/span>) or specific idiomatic expressions might have different patterns. However, focusing on the main rule will cover most cases for B2 learners.<\/p>\n<h2>\u95a2\u9023\u30ec\u30c3\u30b9\u30f3<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=273072\">Word stress<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In most English compound nouns, the main stress falls on the first word. This rule helps you sound natural and avoid misunderstandings. A compound noun combines two or more words to create a new noun with a single meaning, like sunscreen or toothbrush. When you pronounce these, you put more emphasis on the first part. For example, say TEAcup, not teaCUP. This is different from an adjective followed by a noun, where the stress is usually on the second word, for instance, a green HOUSE (a house that is green). Understanding this distinction is key for clear communication and improving your English pronunciation at a B2 level. What Are Compound [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":273978,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Word stress","langcom_cefr":"B2","langcom_type":"pronunciation","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"What is the main rule for stress in compound nouns?\", \"a\": \"The main stress usually falls on the <span data-no-translation>first word<\/span> of the compound noun.\"}, {\"q\": \"Why is it important to stress compound nouns correctly?\", \"a\": \"Correct stress helps avoid confusion, especially when distinguishing between a <span data-no-translation>compound noun<\/span> (e.g., <span data-no-translation>GREENhouse<\/span>) and an <span data-no-translation>adjective + noun phrase<\/span> (e.g., <span data-no-translation>a green HOUSE<\/span>). It also makes your pronunciation sound more natural and clear.\"}, {\"q\": \"How can I improve my stress in compound nouns?\", \"a\": \"Listen carefully to native speakers, practice saying compound nouns aloud, and pay attention to how the stress changes the meaning in pairs like <span data-no-translation>BLACKbird<\/span> vs. <span data-no-translation>black BIRD<\/span>. Recording yourself and comparing it to native speech can also be very helpful.\"}, {\"q\": \"Are there any exceptions to this rule?\", \"a\": \"While the <span data-no-translation>first word stress<\/span> rule applies to most common compound nouns, there are a few exceptions. For example, some proper nouns (e.g., <span data-no-translation>New YORK<\/span>) or specific idiomatic expressions might have different patterns. However, focusing on the main rule will cover most cases for B2 learners.\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"In most English compound nouns, the main stress falls on the first word. This rule helps you sound natural and avoid misunderstandings.","_mwseo_canonical":"","_mwseo_keywords":"","_mwseo_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[588],"tags":[657,938],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-273151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b2-upper-intermediate-english","tag-pronunciation","tag-stress-in-compound-nouns"],"dsm_author":{"name":"\u30e9\u30a6\u30eb","avatar_url":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"B2 Upper Intermediate 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