Real, everyday American English — The American Year, New Year to Spring Break. You hear 40 phrases Americans actually use, each spoken clearly with a natural-speed repeat, the stressed syllable marked, and a short note on when to use it. Then take the matching quiz on word stress. Phrases in this episode (CAPITALS = the beat): Happy New Year to you too. [HA-pee NOO YEER tuh yoo TOO.] Any resolutions this year? [EH-nee reh-zuh-LOO-shunz this YEER?] I'm gonna hit the gym more. [eyem GUH-nuh HIT thuh JIM MOHR.] My resolution is to eat better. [my reh-zuh-LOO-shun iz tuh EET BEH-dur.] I already broke mine. [eye awl-REH-dee BROHK MYN.] How was your New Year? [HOW wuz yur NOO YEER?] Did you stay up? [DIH-juh STAY UHP?] We had a quiet one. [wee HAD uh KWY-ut WUN.] The gym's packed in January. [thuh JIMZ PAKT in JAN-yoo-air-ee.] We're having people over for the game. [weer HA-ving PEE-pul OH-vur fur thuh GAYM.] What time's kickoff? [wut TYMZ KIK-awf?] Who are you rooting for? [HOO ur yoo ROO-ding FOHR?] I don't really follow football. [eye DOHNT REE-lee FAH-loh FUUT-bawl.] What's the score? [wuts thuh SKOHR?] The halftime show was awesome. [thuh HAF-tym SHOH wuz AW-sum.] Who's playing? [HOOZ PLAY-ing?] It's basically a national holiday. [its BA-sik-lee uh NA-shuh-nul HAH-luh-day.] Half the country calls in sick Monday. [HAF thuh KUN-tree KAWLZ in SIK MUN-day.] Do you guys do anything for Valentine's? [duh yoo GYZ DOO EH-nee-thing fur VA-lun-tynz?] We're going out to dinner. [weer GOH-ing OWT tuh DIH-nur.] Restaurants are booked solid tonight. [REH-struh-rahnts ur BUUKT SAH-lud tuh-NYT.] The kids exchange valentines at school. [thuh KIDZ iks-CHAYNJ VA-lun-tynz at SKOOL.] Happy Valentine's Day! [HA-pee VA-lun-tynz DAY!] Monday's a holiday. [MUN-dayz uh HAH-luh-day.] We've got a three-day weekend. [weev GAHT uh THREE-day WEEK-end.] Is the mail running Monday? [iz thuh MAYL RUH-ning MUN-day?] …and more in the episode