Hear "Have"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say have the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as ha-uvh /hæʊv/ ~ /hæ.ʊv/ - one syllable that nearly splits into two - and in slower speech, it can stretch fully into two syllables. Play the clip to hear it in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips.

#SouthernAccents

Variations

The way it sounds out in the country. /hæ.əv/ ~ /hæ.ʊv/

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start with "ha," let the vowel glide into "uh" or "uvh," and finish with a soft "v." Keep it clipped for the quick version, or stretch it out into "ha-uvh" when speaking slower.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "have"?

You’ll often hear "ha-uvh," either compressed into one long syllable or stretched into almost two.

Is this just a Southern feature?

It’s most common in the South and Appalachia, though vowel glides like this happen in many English dialects.

How can I practice?

Start with a clean "have," then glide from "ha" into "uh/uvh." Practice short and long versions, listening for the subtle stretch.

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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