ɑ
Vowel
/ɑ/ — Open back unrounded vowel
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| father | /ˈfɑðɚ/ | /fɑːðə/ |
| palm | /ˈpɑm/ | /ˈpɑːm/ |
| spa | /ˈspɑ/ | /spɑː/ |
| car | /ˈkɑɹ/ | /kɑː/ |
| hot | /ˈhɑt/ | /hɒt/ |
| stop | /ˈstɑp/ | /stɒp/ |
| box | /ˈbɑks/ | /bɒks/ |
| not | /ˈnɑt/ | /nɒt/ |
| clock | /ˈklɑk/ | /klɒk/ |
| rock | /ˈɹɑk/ | /ɹɒk/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English. /ɑ/ appears only in the US English transcriptions; the UK English dictionary writes these words with another symbol.
How to produce this sound
SoundOpen 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 /ɑ/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- cot/ˈkɑt/cut/ˈkʌt/
- lock/ˈlɑk/luck/ˈlʌk/
- hot/ˈhɑt/hut/ˈhʌt/
- not/ˈnɑt/nut/ˈnʌt/
Spelling patterns
- a as in father
- o (US) as in hot
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