ɹ
Consonant
/ɹ/ — Alveolar approximant (English R)
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| red | /ˈɹɛd/ | /ɹɛd/ |
| very | /ˈvɛɹi/ | /vɛɹi/ |
| right | /ˈɹaɪt/ | /ɹaɪt/ |
| room | /ˈɹum/ | /ɹuːm/ |
| run | /ˈɹʌn/ | /ɹʌn/ |
| rain | /ˈɹeɪn/ | /ɹeɪn/ |
| sorry | /ˈsɑɹi/ | /sɒɹi/ |
| green | /ˈɡɹin/ | /ɡɹiːn/ |
| bread | /ˈbɹɛd/ | /bɹɛd/ |
| carry | /ˈkæɹi/ | /kæɹi/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundAlveolar approximant (English R).
TongueAim the tongue tip/blade at the alveolar ridge (just behind upper front teeth). Approach the target place closely but avoid making turbulent friction.
LipsKeep lips neutral unless neighboring sounds require shaping.
JawUse gentle opening and avoid unnecessary movement.
VoiceMaintain smooth voicing throughout the segment.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /ɹ/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- right/ˈɹaɪt/light/ˈlaɪt/
- wrong/ˈɹɔŋ/long/ˈlɔŋ/
- rock/ˈɹɑk/lock/ˈlɑk/
Spelling patterns
- r as in red
- rr as in sorry
Practise this sound
- ConverterEnglish to IPA converter
- In TurkishTürklerin İngilizce Telaffuzda Yaptığı 15 Yaygın Hata
- In GermanEnglische Aussprache für Deutsche: die fünf Fallen
- In Arabicالنطق البريطاني والأمريكي: الفروق بالرموز الصوتية
- In FrenchPrononciation anglaise : erreurs des francophones
- In PortuguesePronúncia em inglês para brasileiros: erros comuns
- In ItalianPronuncia inglese per italiani: gli errori tipici
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