How to Pronounce "quota"
The correct pronunciation of "quota" is KWOH-tuh /ˈkwəʊtə/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "KWO-ta" habit for good.
quota
/ˈkwəʊtə/A fixed share or limit that is allowed or expected.
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Record yourself saying “quota” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "KWO-ta" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "KWO-ta" with a short first vowel and a hard "ta". | KWOH-tuh /ˈkwəʊtə/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (KWOH). |
How Do You Pronounce "quota"?
"quota" is pronounced KWOH-tuh /ˈkwəʊtə/. The stress is on the first syllable (KWOH). As a noun, it means a fixed share or limit that is allowed or expected.
The first syllable is a long "KWOH" (rhymes with "go"), not a flat, short "KWO".
Note: US speakers say /ˈkwoʊtə/; both land on the same "KWOH-tuh" with a long first vowel.
Say "quota" 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
KWOH-tuh — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (KWOH). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The first syllable is a long "KWOH" (rhymes with "go"), not a flat, short "KWO".
Blend and repeat
Now say "quota" at normal speed: KWOH-tuh. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "quota" (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.
go → KWOH-tuh
First chunk rhymes with go.
NOT KWO-ta — KWOH-tuh
Long oh sound, soft ending.
Say at speed: "The team hit its quota."
Keep KWOH long, 'tuh' soft.
Why "quota" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers shorten the long /əʊ/ into a flat "o" and harden the soft ending.
Tip: Stretch "KWOH" like "go", then let "tuh" fall away: KWOH-tuh.
Hear “quota” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
The team hit its sales quota this month.
There's a quota on free API calls.
We've used up our storage quota.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "quota" 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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