English pronunciation: Short Vowels - /æ/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for short vowels - /æ/.

Quick tip

Short vowels are quick and relaxed. Keep your tongue in a central or near-central position.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• cat

• man

• back

• hat

• map

Minimal pairs

• cat / cut
• man / men
• back / bark
• hat / hot
• map / mop

How to produce this sound

Open your mouth wide and keep your tongue low and at the front. The sound is short, as in 'cat'.

Common mix-ups

• cat / cut
• man / men
• back / bark
• hat / hot
• map / mop

Closest comparison

cat, man, back, hat, map