Us Southerners don’t always say tomato the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear either tuh-MAY-tuh [təˈmeɪ.tə] (the "normal" form) or the Southern-clipped MAT-er [mæt.ɚ], which drops the middle syllables entirely. Play the clip to hear both versions in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice them yourself with our tips and sentences.
Listen to our audio clips a few times, focusing on the "tuh-MAY-tuh" and "MAT-er" versions, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.
Many say "tuh-MAY-tuh" (three syllables) while others shorten it to "MAT-er" (two syllables) in casual speech.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
"tuh-MAY-tuh" is common everywhere; "MAT-er" is especially frequent in rural or older generations but still widely recognized.
How can I practice saying "tomato" in a Southern accent?
Listen to both audio clips and try saying "MAT-er" slowly at first, then naturally, mimicking the vowel reduction and dropped syllables.
Why do Southerners drop syllables in "tomato"?
It’s part of the general Southern tendency toward vowel reduction and syllable clipping in everyday speech.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 17). Tomato. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/tomato
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Tomato." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/tomato.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Tomato." HillbillySlang.com. September 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/tomato.
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.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Listen to our audio clips a few times, focusing on the "tuh-MAY-tuh" and "MAT-er" versions, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.