2 syllables: co, la. Stress on co.
KOH-luh
/ˈkoʊlə/
cola is pronounced KOH-luh (/ˈkoʊlə/). It has two syllables (co-la), with the stress on "co". Cola refers to a carbonated beverage flavored typically with vanilla and cinnamon, or more broadly to the plant genus Cola. In everyday use, it denotes the drink and, less commonly, the caffeinated ingredient derived from kola nuts. The term is often associated with brand names, cola lights, and regional preferences for ingredients and sugar content.
Cola refers to a carbonated beverage flavored typically with vanilla and cinnamon, or more broadly to the plant genus Cola. In everyday use, it denotes the drink and, less commonly, the caffeinated ingredient derived from kola nuts. The term is often associated with brand names, cola lights, and regional preferences for ingredients and sugar content.
- You may clip the first vowel in cola, making it sound like C-lə instead of CO-lə. Ensure the first syllable is clearly diphthongal /koʊ/ (US) or /kəʊ/ (UK). - Another mistake is softening the /l/ or moving it into a light “w”-like sound; keep the tongue tip on the alveolar ridge for a crisp L. - Finally, avoid rushing to the second syllable; give a distinct /lə/ with a short, clean schwa. Practice by focusing on the peak of the first vowel, the L-alveolar contact, and a controlled release into /lə/.
"I reached for a cold cola after the long run."
"The bartender offered me a glass of cola with ice."
"This cola brand has a unique vanilla-caramel flavor."
Pronounce as KO-lə in US and UK, with primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA: US /ˈkoʊ.lə/, UK /ˈkəʊ.lə/. The first vowel is a long diphthong in US (/oʊ/) and a close-mid back diphthong in UK (/əʊ/). Move quickly from the large mouth opening for /ko/ to a relaxed /lə/ syllable. Audio reference: you’ll hear the stressed first syllable clearly: KO- and then a soft, unstressed -la.
Common errors: not fully releasing the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ diphthong, leading to a clipped second syllable; misplacing the /l/ making it sound like ‘col-uh’ with a weak /l/; reducing the /ə/ to a schwa too short. Correction: elongate the first syllable vowel into a clear diphthong (/oʊ/ US, /əʊ/ UK), then fully articulate the /l/ with the tip of the tongue and a clean alveolar contact, before a distinct, short /ə/ vowel for the second syllable.
US emphasizes a full /oʊ/ diphthong and rhoticity matters less for rhoticness; UK keeps /əʊ/ with a slightly more centralized vowel, non-rhotic in broader dialects, but /lə/ ends with a clear /l/. Australian often leans toward /ɔː/ or /ɔl/ with less intense diphthong quality and a less pronounced /ə/ in unstressed syllables. The key is vowel quality, length, and final /lə/ clarity, with consistent stress on the first syllable.
Difficult because you must produce a precise two-syllable sequence with a clear diphthong onset, then execute a crisp /l/ before a final schwa-like /ə/. The transition from a rounded, high-mid vowel to a light, centralized unstressed vowel can blur in rapid speech. Tension can creep into the /l/; keep your tongue relaxed but fingers close to alveolar ridge. Ensure the first vowel is not shortened in casual speech.
A unique feature is the stable two-syllable structure with a prominent first-stressed vowel, followed by a light, schwa-like end. Unlike many two-syllable words with a silent letter or irregular stress, cola maintains clear articulation of both syllables in most dialects, with the main suspension on the first vowel and a short, almost neutral final sound; this balance makes cola easy to misunderstand if the first vowel isn’t clearly prolonged.
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- US: emphasize /ˈkoʊ.lə/ with a clear /oʊ/ diphthong; keep the /l/ firm but not harsh, and end with a relaxed /ə/. - UK: use /ˈkəʊ.lə/, slightly more rounded /əʊ/ and a slightly lighter /l/; maintain non-rhoticity in many dialects. - AU: often /ˈkɔː.lə/ or /ˈkɔl.ə/, with a broader, longer first vowel; be mindful of vowel quality and a more fronted /l/ in some regions. In all accents, stress remains on the first syllable.
The word cola comes from the kola nut, traditionally used for its caffeine in West African regions. The English term cola originated in the 19th century with the kola-based beverages formed to describe flavoring extracts from the kola nut (genus Cola). Early product names like ‘cola’ and brand variants emerged as flavored soda beverages spread globally in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with evolving formulations, sweeteners, and artificial flavorings. The root kola traces to the Akan word kɔla and related West African terms; scientific naming later aligned the genus Cola for the plant, while the beverage label shortened to cola. First known use in print appears in the 1880s–1890s in American advertising for caffeinated beverages, consolidating as a generic term for cola-flavored drinks. Over time, “cola” became a cultural shorthand for carbonated cola beverages, distinct from other soft drinks by its branding and flavor profile. In modern usage, it can also refer to cola-flavored syrups or mixes used in cocktails or culinary applications, and, in some regions, to cola-flavored candies or desserts. The word’s meaning has shifted from plant-derived flavorings to a trademarked beverage category while retaining its link to kola nuts and their iconic, stimulating associations.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cola" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cola" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cola" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "cola"
-ola sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
{ "sections": [ { "title": "Sound-by-Sound Breakdown", "bullets": ["/k/ as in cat: back of tongue raises briefly for /k/; release into /o/ for /ko/ detonation; lips rounded for /o/; tongue lowers to center for /l/; /ə/ is a mid-central vowel, relaxed; final //ˈkoʊ.lə/ uses a diphthong in US, a simpler two-vowel sequence in UK/AU", "/oʊ/ US diphthong: starting with mid-back rounded vowel and glide to high back; UK /əʊ/: open-mid to close-mid run, less lip rounding; /l/ alveolar lateral with tip on alveolar ridge; /ə/ unstressed central vowel; end with slight jaw relaxation"]] }, { "title": "Accent Variations", "bullets": ["US: rhotic? you’ll still pronounce /r/ as not pronounced; cola remains non-rhotic; diphthong /oʊ/ clearer; /l/ pronounced with blade of tongue; US: broader vowels.", "UK: /ˈkəʊ.lə/ with clearer /əʊ/ and a slightly lighter /l/; often non-rhotic; AU: /ˈkɔː.lə/ or /ˈkɔl.ə/; vowels more open, less clipped final vowel; /l/ similar; maintain stress on first syllable."]}, { "title": "Practice Sequence", "bullets": ["Minimal pairs: cola vs coal; cola vs cala (non-word) to feel vowel difference.", "Syllable drills: /koʊ/ then /lə/; slow practice, then normal pace, then fast; monitor clarity of /l/.", "Context sentences: ‘I’m grabbing a cold cola from the fridge.’ ‘The cola brand is famous for its caramel notes.’"] }, { "title": "Mastery Checklist", "bullets": ["Articulatory positions: tip of tongue on alveolar ridge for /l/, jaw relaxed for /ə/; ensure first syllable is clearly diphthongized.", "Acoustic rhyming: cola should rhyme with other two-syllable words with -ola pattern in speaker’s dialect; compare with coal/cola IPA alignment.", "Stress/rhythm: first syllable stressed; maintain even syllable timing in phrases; ensure the final /lə/ is not overly reduced."]} ] }
