this year
thi-shyear
/ðɪˈʃɪr/Assimilation
What happens to the sounds
s + y blend into “sh” across the word boundary: this year → “thi-SHEER”.
When to use it
Works with any s + y: this year, unless you, nice yacht. Normal in every style of speech.
Casual → formal
Neutral
this year
Sound notes
Assimilation: neighbouring sounds change each other, e.g. t + y → “ch”, d + y → “j”.