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Hear "Coffee"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say coffee the same way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it come out as caw-fee or cawf-ee, with a rounded "aw" sound in the first syllable. Play the clip to hear how it sounds in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice it yourself with our tips and sentences.

#SouthernAccents  

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to our audio clip a few times, focusing on the "caw" sound, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "coffee"?
Many shift it to "caw-fee" or "cawf-ee," rounding the first syllable and softening the second.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
The "caw" sound is common, though some regions keep a flatter "coff" sound - accents vary widely.
How can I practice saying "coffee" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip several times and mimic the rounded "caw" sound.
Why do Southerners change the vowel in "coffee"?
It’s part of the vowel shifts characteristic of Southern and Appalachian speech patterns.
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