ɪə
Diphthong
/ɪə/ — Diphthong (near, here)
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| near | /ˈnɪɹ/ | /nɪə/ |
| dear | /ˈdɪɹ/ | /dɪə/ |
| fear | /ˈfɪɹ/ | /fɪə/ |
| clear | /ˈklɪɹ/ | /klɪə/ |
| year | /ˈjɪɹ/ | /jɪə/ |
| deer | /ˈdɪɹ/ | /dɪə/ |
| beard | /ˈbɪɹd/ | /bɪəd/ |
| gear | /ˈɡɪɹ/ | /ɡɪə/ |
| appear | /əˈpɪɹ/ | /əpɪə/ |
| period | /ˈpɪɹiəd/ | /pɪəɹiəd/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English. /ɪə/ appears only in the UK English transcriptions; the US English dictionary writes these words with another symbol.
How to produce this sound
SoundDiphthong (near, here).
TongueGlide continuously from the first vowel target to the second target with no break.
LipsTransition lip shape continuously across the glide; avoid abrupt snapping.
JawMove jaw smoothly between the two vowel targets without pausing in the middle.
VoiceKeep voicing continuous and even through the segment.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /ɪə/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- fear/fɪə/fair/fɛə/
Spelling patterns
- ear as in near
- eer as in deer
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