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How Do Americans Pronounce "Sorry"?

Published in Pronunciation 1 min read

Americans pronounce "sorry" with a short "o" sound, similar to the "o" in "hot" or "lot."

Here's a breakdown:

  • "S" sound: The initial "s" is pronounced as a standard "s" sound.
  • "O" sound: The "o" is pronounced as a short "o" sound, not the long "o" sound in words like "go" or "home."
  • "R" sound: The "r" sound is typically pronounced with a slight rolling sound, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest regions.
  • "Y" sound: The final "y" sound is pronounced as a soft "ee" sound, similar to the "y" in "happy" or "pretty."

Example: "SOR-ee"

Practical Insight: When Americans apologize, they often use a slightly rising intonation at the end of the word, giving it a more sincere and empathetic tone.


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