Learn How to Pronounce cough

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cough

Definition:

(nou) a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis

Phonetic Transcription:

kɒf

Examples:

The symptoms are shortness of breath and cough.

The cough and congestion subside.

It acts on the cough center in the medulla oblongata.

Learn more about:
cough

Related Words:

breath

asthma

How to perfect your pronunciation of: cough

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

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Common mistakes of cough pronunciation

Misplacing the "h": Some learners may pronounce "cough" with an audible "h" sound, as in "h-cough." This is incorrect. IPA: /kɔf/ (US), /kɒf/ (UK). Tip: Focus on a clean "k" sound followed by the "off" sound.
Overemphasizing the "o": A common mistake is to overly stress the "o" in "cough," making it sound like "coff." This can lead to confusion with other words. IPA: /kɔf/ (US), /kɒf/ (UK). Tip: Keep the "o" short and relaxed.
Ignoring the final "gh": Some may pronounce "cough" as "coff," dropping the "gh" entirely. This alters the word's meaning. IPA: /kɔf/ (US), /kɒf/ (UK). Tip: Remember that "gh" is silent, but it affects the vowel sound.
Confusing with "cough" and "coughing": Learners might mispronounce "cough" when transitioning to "coughing," leading to miscommunication. IPA for "coughing": /ˈkɔfɪŋ/ (US), /ˈkɒfɪŋ/ (UK). Tip: Practice saying both words in succession to master the transition.
Mispronouncing the vowel sound: Some learners may incorrectly pronounce the vowel sound in "cough," saying it like "cat." This is inaccurate. IPA: /kɔf/ (US), /kɒf/ (UK). Tip: Aim for the "aw" sound, similar to "off," to ensure clarity.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "cough" in American English?

In American English, "cough" is pronounced as /kɔf/ with a single syllable. The "o" is pronounced like the "aw" in "saw," and the "gh" is silent.

What is the UK pronunciation of "cough"?

In British English, "cough" is also pronounced as /kɒf/, where the "o" sounds like the "o" in "lot." The stress is on the single syllable, and the "gh" remains silent.

Is there a schwa sound in "cough"?

No, "cough" does not contain a schwa sound. It is pronounced with a clear vowel sound, making it straightforward with no unstressed syllables.

What common mistakes do people make when pronouncing "cough"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing "cough" with a pronounced "gh" or confusing it with "cough" and "coughs." It's important to remember that "gh" is silent, and the word has only one syllable.