How do native English speakers say "hot tea"?

Native speakers reduce "hot tea" to "ho-tea" ([hɑt̚ tʰiː]) in natural speech. Tea that has a high temperature.

hot tea → ho-tea | gemination

Q: What is the connected speech form of "hot tea"?

"hot tea" becomes "ho-tea" — a gemination pattern. When the 't' sound at the end of 'hot' is followed by another 't' sound at the beginning of 'tea', they can merge into a single, slightly longer 't' sound. This is called gemination.

hot tea → ho-tea [hɑt̚ tʰiː] gemination

Tea that has a high temperature.

When the 't' sound at the end of 'hot' is followed by another 't' sound at the beginning of 'tea', they can merge into a single, slightly longer 't' sound. This is called gemination.

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Step 2 · Reveal

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STANDARD FORM → REDUCED FORM

hot tea → ho-tea

[hɑt̚ tʰiː]

Tea that has a high temperature.

When the 't' sound at the end of 'hot' is followed by another 't' sound at the beginning of 'tea', they can merge into a single, slightly longer 't' sound. This is called gemination.

Step 3 · Context

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Example 1

Would you like hot tea or coffee?

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Example 2

I prefer hot tea on a cold day.

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Example 3

I'm craving some ho-tea right now.

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Example 4

Did you make any ho-tea this morning?

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Example 5

Just grab me a ho-tea from the kitchen, please.

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Step 6 · Result

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hot tea → ho-tea