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.
