Learn How to Pronounce bother

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bother

Definition:

(nou) an angry disturbance (nou) something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈbɒðə

Examples:

The communists don't bother with such niceties.

The derision does not bother me.

If citations to authorities are unavailing, then why bother

Learn more about:
bother

Related Words:

trouble

try

How to perfect your pronunciation of: bother

Learn Individual Sounds

Break bother down into individual sounds such as ˈbɒðə. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of bother pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "bother" as /ˈbɒ.ðər/ instead of /ˈbɑː.ðər/ (US) or /ˈbɒ.ðə/ (UK). Tip: Remember to stress the first syllable, "bother".
Overemphasizing the "th": Learners often exaggerate the "th" sound, pronouncing it too harshly. The correct pronunciation is softer, as in /ð/. Tip: Keep the "th" light and smooth, blending it into the word.
Incorrect vowel sound: Some pronounce the first vowel as /ɔː/ instead of /ɑː/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK). This can lead to confusion. Tip: Practice saying "bother" with a clear "ah" sound in the first syllable.
Omitting the final "er": Some speakers drop the final "er" sound, saying "bother" as /ˈbɒ.ðə/ (UK) without the "r". Tip: Ensure you pronounce the "er" clearly, especially in American English where it is more pronounced.
Confusing with similar words: Learners may confuse "bother" with "brother" due to similar sounds. "Brother" is pronounced as /ˈbrʌ.ðər/ (US) or /ˈbrʌ.ðə/ (UK). Tip: Pay attention to the initial consonant sounds to distinguish them.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "bother" in American English?

In American English, "bother" is pronounced as /ˈbɑːðər/. The first syllable has primary stress, and the "o" sounds like the "a" in "father."

What is the UK pronunciation of "bother"?

In British English, "bother" is pronounced as /ˈbɒðə/. The first syllable also has primary stress, but the "o" is pronounced like the "o" in "hot."

Does "bother" have a schwa sound in its pronunciation?

Yes, "bother" contains a schwa sound in the second syllable, pronounced as /ˈbɒðə/ in UK English and /ˈbɑːðər/ in US English. The schwa is represented by the "er" at the end, which sounds like "uh."

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "bother"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing the "o" incorrectly. Remember to stress the first syllable and use the correct vowel sound for your dialect.