ɑː
Vowel
/ɑː/ — Long open back unrounded vowel
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| father | /ˈfɑðɚ/ | /fɑːðə/ |
| palm | /ˈpɑm/ | /ˈpɑːm/ |
| arm | /ˈɑɹm/ | /ɑːm/ |
| car | /ˈkɑɹ/ | /kɑː/ |
| start | /ˈstɑɹt/ | /stɑːt/ |
| heart | /ˈhɑɹt/ | /hɑːt/ |
| hard | /ˈhɑɹd/ | /hɑːd/ |
| far | /ˈfɑɹ/ | /fɑː/ |
| card | /ˈkɑɹd/ | /ˈkɑːd/ |
| dark | /ˈdɑɹk/ | /dɑːk/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English. /ɑː/ appears only in the UK English transcriptions; the US English dictionary writes these words with another symbol.
How to produce this sound
SoundLong open back unrounded vowel.
TongueKeep the tongue body low enough for an open-quality vowel. Retract the tongue body toward the back of the mouth.
LipsKeep lips neutral or lightly spread; avoid accidental rounding.
JawAllow a wider jaw opening while staying relaxed.
VoiceKeep voicing continuous and even through the segment.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /ɑː/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- heart/hɑːt/hut/hʌt/
- cart/kɑːt/cut/kʌt/
- march/mɑːtʃ/much/mʌt͡ʃ/
Spelling patterns
- ar as in car
- a as in father
- al as in palm
- ear as in heart
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