Because english is just semi random noises

Ghoti

Gh (f) as in enough,

O (í) as in women,

TI (sh) as in motion

Pronounced: Fish

So, this is both fascinating and remarkably simple once you learn some basics about how spoken language evolves.

Let's start here: say "woman" out loud. Now, say it again, and this time pay attention to your tongue. When you said "woman," did you pronounce the "o" sound at the front of your mouth, higher in your mouth, and the "a" at the back, lower in your mouth?

Now try this. Say "women," again paying close attention to where the vowel sounds come from in your mouth. First pronounce "women" as it is written- kind of like "woah men." Do you feel how much more work that requires that pronouncing "woman" does? Now, pronounce "women" as you naturally do. Assuming you are in North America, this probably sounds a bit like "wimmin."

Probably, this "wimmin" pronunciation feels easier and more natural. This is largely because those vowel sounds originate in roughly the same area. When a word has multiple vowel sounds and they move from front to back or top to bottom, there's a good chance we will naturally shift towards an easier pronunciation.

Wait there are people who pronounce women with an i?

Am I the only one who pronounces them both with an I sound

Accents matter. It sounds like "vho-men" when I say it.

English not being my first language, I can relate to that thought 😅

I think it's a matter of accent and Dialekt. I pronounce both the same🤷

It was originally wifman and over time mutated to women, the I sound is vestigial of the old spelling.

Wait people pronounce them differently. I've been saying it the same way.😭

We probably just nicked the words from different languages.

Also correct if he's thinking about cute dogs / cats / other animals that have more than 1 female in the group.

for the love of God please someone google what a schwa is before replying

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3ipFdRfFvK4