Learn How to Pronounce bought

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bought

Definition:

(nou) an advantageous purchase

Phonetic Transcription:

baɪ

Learn more about:
bought

Related Words:

pay

purchase

take

How to perfect your pronunciation of: bought

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

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Common mistakes of bought pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "bought" as /bɔɪt/ instead of /bɔt/ in US English and /bɔːt/ in UK English. Tip: Focus on the "au" making the /ɔː/ sound, not /ɔɪ/.
Overemphasizing the "t": A common mistake is pronouncing the "t" in "bought" too strongly, leading to /bɔt/ instead of the softer /bɔt/ in US and /bɔːt/ in UK. Tip: Keep the "t" subtle and blend it into the word.
Confusing with "bot": Some may confuse "bought" with "bot" and pronounce it as /bɑt/. This can happen due to similar vowel sounds. Tip: Remember that "bought" has a longer vowel sound /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ that differentiates it.
Ignoring the silent "gh": Learners sometimes try to pronounce the "gh" in "bought," leading to /bɒɡt/. This is incorrect as the "gh" is silent. Tip: Focus on the "ou" sound and ignore the "gh."
Mispronouncing in different accents: In some accents, "bought" may sound like "boat" (/boʊt/). This can confuse listeners. Tip: Practice the correct vowel sound /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ to ensure clarity in communication.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "bought" in American English?

In American English, "bought" is pronounced as /bɔt/ with a single syllable. The vowel sound is similar to the "aw" in "saw," making it distinct and easy to recognize.

What is the phonetic transcription of "bought"?

The phonetic transcription of "bought" is /bɔt/ in both American and British English. The primary stress is on the vowel sound, which is a rounded open-mid back vowel.

Are there any common mistakes in pronouncing "bought"?

Yes, many learners mistakenly pronounce "bought" as /bɔt/ when they should avoid a diphthong sound. It's important to keep the vowel sound steady and not to glide into a different vowel.

What is the difference between "bought" and "bot"?

The word "bought" is pronounced /bɔt/, while "bot" is pronounced /bɑt/ in American English. The key difference lies in the vowel sounds, with "bought" having a rounded vowel and "bot" having a more open back vowel.