Language
English
Unit
Vowels
IPA
/ʊ/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

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

Quick tip

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

Letters and IPA

Letters

u (good)

/ʊ/

Practice words

  • good

  • put

  • foot

  • book

  • could

Minimal pairs

  • full / fool
  • pull / pool
  • look / luck
  • could / code
  • put / pot

How to produce this sound

Round your lips slightly. The tongue is high and towards the back of the mouth, but not as high or tense as in 'food'. The sound is short, as in 'good'.

Common mix-ups

  • full / fool
  • pull / pool
  • look / luck
  • could / code
  • put / pot

Closest comparison

good, put, foot, could, book

Keep exploring

Previous Short Vowels - /ɪ/ Vowels Next Short Vowels - /e/ Vowels