Language
English
Unit
Vowels
IPA
/ɜː/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

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

Quick tip

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

Letters and IPA

Letters

er (bird, UK)

/ɜː/

Practice words

  • bird

  • her

  • work

  • first

  • girl

Minimal pairs

  • bird / bed
  • her / hair
  • work / walk
  • first / fast
  • girl / goal

How to produce this sound

To make /ɜː/, relax your tongue in the middle of your mouth, lips unrounded, and say a long 'er' as in 'bird'.

Common mix-ups

  • bird / bed
  • her / hair
  • work / walk
  • first / fast
  • girl / goal

Closest comparison

bird, her, work, first, girl

Keep exploring

Previous Long Vowels - /uː/ Vowels Next Long Vowels - /ɔː/ Vowels