How to Pronounce "dozen"
The correct pronunciation of "dozen" is DUZ-un /ˈdʌzn/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "DOH-zen" habit for good.
dozen
/ˈdʌzn/A group of twelve.
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Record yourself saying “dozen” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "DOH-zen" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying 'DOH-zen' with a long 'oh', reading the 'o' as written. | DUZ-un /ˈdʌzn/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (DUZ). |
How Do You Pronounce "dozen"?
"dozen" is pronounced DUZ-un /ˈdʌzn/. The stress is on the first syllable (DUZ). As a noun, it means a group of twelve.
The 'o' is a short 'u' (as in 'cousin') — DUZ-un, not the long 'oh' the spelling suggests.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "dozen" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
DUZ-un — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (DUZ). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'o' is a short 'u' (as in 'cousin') — DUZ-un, not the long 'oh' the spelling suggests.
Blend and repeat
Now say "dozen" at normal speed: DUZ-un. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "dozen" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
up → duz → DUZ-un
The first vowel is the short 'u' of 'up'.
NOT DOH-zen — DUZ-un
No long 'oh'; the 'o' is a short 'u'.
Say at speed: "We need a dozen eggs."
Keep the 'u' vowel short and relaxed.
Why "dozen" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers give the 'o' its long 'oh' value, but here it takes the short 'u' sound of 'cousin' and 'oven'.
Tip: Rhyme the first part with 'cousin': DUZ-un, starting with the vowel of 'up'.
Hear “dozen” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
We need a dozen eggs.
She sold a dozen roses.
There were dozens of people waiting.
Words Related to "dozen"
Related: cousin
Same hidden short 'u': KUZ-un.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "dozen" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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