iː
Vowel
/iː/ — Long close front vowel
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| see | /ˈsi/ | /siː/ |
| meet | /ˈmit/ | /miːt/ |
| leave | /ˈliv/ | /liːv/ |
| green | /ˈɡɹin/ | /ɡɹiːn/ |
| tea | /ˈti/ | /tiː/ |
| sea | /ˈsi/ | /siː/ |
| key | /ˈki/ | /kiː/ |
| eat | /ˈit/ | /iːt/ |
| feet | /ˈfit/ | /fiːt/ |
| need | /ˈnid/ | /niːd/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English. /iː/ appears only in the UK English transcriptions; the US English dictionary writes these words with another symbol.
How to produce this sound
SoundLong close front vowel.
TongueKeep the tongue body high in the mouth for this vowel target. Shape the tongue body toward the front of the mouth.
LipsKeep lips neutral or lightly spread; avoid accidental rounding.
JawKeep the jaw relatively high (small opening) without clenching.
VoiceKeep voicing continuous and even through the segment.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /iː/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- sheep/ʃiːp/ship/ʃɪp/
- feel/fiːl/fill/fɪl/
Spelling patterns
- ee as in see
- ea as in tea
- ey as in key
Practise this sound
- ConverterEnglish to IPA converter
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- In FrenchPrononciation anglaise : erreurs des francophones
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- In ItalianPronuncia inglese per italiani: gli errori tipici
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