Language
English
Unit
Vowels
IPA
/ɑː/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for long vowels - /ɑː/.

Quick tip

Long vowels are held longer. Keep your mouth steady as you pronounce them.

Letters and IPA

Letters

ar (car, UK)

/ɑː/

Practice words

  • car

  • star

  • park

  • hard

  • dark

Minimal pairs

  • car / care
  • park / pack
  • dark / duck
  • hard / heard
  • star / stir

How to produce this sound

Open your mouth wide. The tongue is low and back. The lips are relaxed. Hold the sound longer, as in 'car' (UK).

Common mix-ups

  • car / care
  • park / pack
  • dark / duck
  • hard / heard
  • star / stir

Closest comparison

car, star, park, hard, dark

Keep exploring

Previous Long Vowels - /ɔː/ Vowels Next Diphthongs - /aɪ/ Vowels