Hear "Fur"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say fur the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as a soft fɚ /fɚ/ ~ /fɜɹ/ - one fairly quick syllable, or a little open. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips.

#SouthernAccents

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to each clip a few times. Start with a soft "f" sound, then glide into a relaxed "urr" sound. Fɚ stays tighter, fɜɹ opens a bit. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "fur"?

In casual speech you’ll hear [fɚ] (tight) or [fɜɹ] (a bit more open).

Is one more Southern than the other?

Both occur across the region. [fɜɹ] is the slower or more deliberate form; [fɚ] is the clipped, fast form.

How can I practice?

Start with a clear "fur," then relax the vowel: tighter for [fɚ], slightly more open for [fɜɹ]. Keep the "r" soft at the end.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.

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