English pronunciation: Short Vowels - /ɒ/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for short vowels - /ɒ/.

Quick tip

Short vowels are quick and relaxed. Keep your tongue in a central or near-central position.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• cot

• dog

• hot

• not

• shop

Minimal pairs

• cot / cut
• hot / hat
• not / nut
• dog / dug
• shop / sheep

How to produce this sound

Open your mouth wide and relax your lips. The tongue is low and towards the back. The sound is short, as in 'cot' (UK).

Common mix-ups

• cot / cut
• hot / hat
• not / nut
• shop / sheep
• dog / dug

Closest comparison

cot, dog, hot, not, shop