Hear "That"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say that the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it slide into tha-yut /ðæjət/ ~ /ðæjʊt/ - one syllable that almost feels like two - or even they-yut /ðeɪ.jət/ ~ /ðeɪ.jʊt/, which is pretty much two syllables. Also: if the word is used mid-sentence, it's normally shortened to a-yut /æjət/ ~ /æjʊt/ or ay-eet /eɪ.iːt/ ~ /eɪ.jiːt/. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips and sentences.

#SouthernAccents #CommonFunctionWords

Variations

1) When you get out further in the country. /ðeɪ.jət/ ~ /ðeɪ.jʊt/

2) Mid-sentence version. /æjət/ ~ /æjʊt/

3) Mid-sentence, but more country. /eɪ.iːt/ ~ /eɪ.jiːt/

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to each clip a few times. Start with the "th" sound, then glide into "ya" before landing softly on the "t." Tha-yut stays closer to one syllable, they-yut stretches fully into two. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

Kin Topics

Common Function Words

Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "that"?

You’ll hear "tha-yut" (one syllable stretched) and "they-yut" (two syllables), depending on speed and emphasis.

Is one more Southern than the other?

Both occur across the region; "tha-yut" is more common in quick, casual speech, "they-yut" in slower or more emphatic talk.

How can I practice?

Start with a clear "that," then add a slight "ya" glide before the final "t." Make it longer for "they-yut" or shorter for "tha-yut."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). That. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/that
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "That." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/that.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "That." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/that.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.