Learn How to Pronounce coffee

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coffee

Definition:

(nou) a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans (nou) any of several small trees and shrubs native to the tropical Old World yielding coffee beans (nou) a seed of the coffee tree; ground to make coffee (nou) a medium brown to dark-brown color

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈkɒfi

Examples:

I had a cup of coffee in the evening.

To coffee connoisseurs, this changes the whole dynamic of the drink.

The author ends the story by sipping a cup of bitter coffee.

Learn more about:
coffee

Related Words:

hot

drink

cup

How to perfect your pronunciation of: coffee

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Common mistakes of coffee pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly, saying "COFF-ee" instead of "COF-fee" (ˈkɔː.fi in UK, ˈkɔː.fɪ in US). Tip: Remember that the first syllable carries the primary stress.
Overemphasizing the "o": A common mistake is pronouncing the "o" in "coffee" too strongly, making it sound like "coff-ee" (ˈkɔː.fi). Tip: Keep the "o" sound short and smooth to maintain the correct pronunciation.
Dropping the "e": Some people omit the "e" at the end, pronouncing it as "coff" (ˈkɔːf). Tip: Always include the "e" sound to ensure clarity and correctness in "coffee".
Confusing vowel sounds: Learners might confuse the "o" in "coffee" with an "a" sound, saying "caff-ee" (ˈkæf.i). Tip: Focus on the rounded "o" sound, which is crucial for accurate pronunciation.
Mispronouncing the "f": Some pronounce "coffee" with a "v" sound, saying "covie" (ˈkɔːvi). Tip: Make sure to articulate the "f" clearly to avoid this common error.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "coffee" in American English?

In American English, "coffee" is pronounced as /ˈkɔː.fi/. The first syllable has primary stress, and the "o" sounds like the "aw" in "law."

What is the British pronunciation of "coffee"?

In British English, "coffee" is pronounced as /ˈkɒf.i/. The vowel in the first syllable is shorter and sounds like the "o" in "lot," which differs from the American pronunciation.

Does "coffee" have a schwa sound?

Yes, in the pronunciation of "coffee," the second syllable contains a schwa sound /i/, pronounced as a quick, relaxed sound similar to the "a" in "sofa." This is common in many two-syllable words.

What are some common mistakes when pronouncing "coffee"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying it as /kɔːˈfi/ instead of /ˈkɔː.fi/. It's important to emphasize the first syllable to sound natural in both American and British English.