Keyword LOT
/ɒ/as in “hot”
How to make it
- Open your jaw wide.
- Pull your tongue back and low.
- Round your lips slightly and keep the sound short.
Common mistake
Saying the "u" of "cup" ("cut" for "cot") or a long "or" ("port" for "pot").
In words
Listen at normal speed or slowly, then say it yourself.
- hot
- stop
- watch
Don't confuse with
Listen and choose the word you hear.
US and UK
British English
/ɒ/
American English has no separate sound here: Americans say "hot" with the unrounded "ah" of "father".
American English
—
American English doesn't have /ɒ/ as a separate sound.
The vowel in "hot"
In words like hot, stop and watch, Americans use a long, open "ah"; British speakers use a short "o" with slightly rounded lips.
| American | British | |
|---|---|---|
| hot | /hɑːt/ | /hɒt/ |
| stop | /stɑːp/ | /stɒp/ |
| watch | /wɑːtʃ/ | /wɒtʃ/ |