ɚ
Vowel
/ɚ/ — R-colored schwa
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| butter | /ˈbʌtɚ/ | /bʌtə/ |
| doctor | /ˈdɑktɚ/ | /dɒktə/ |
| water | /ˈwɔtɚ/ | /wɔːtə/ |
| letter | /ˈlɛtɚ/ | /lɛtə/ |
| better | /ˈbɛtɚ/ | /ˈbɛtə/ |
| never | /ˈnɛvɚ/ | /nɛvə/ |
| paper | /ˈpeɪpɚ/ | /peɪ̯pə/ |
| color | /ˈkʌlɚ/ | /kʌlə/ |
| summer | /ˈsʌmɚ/ | /sʌmə/ |
| father | /ˈfɑðɚ/ | /fɑːðə/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English. /ɚ/ appears only in the US English transcriptions; the UK English dictionary writes these words with another symbol.
How to produce this sound
SoundR-colored schwa.
TongueAdd slight tongue-root retraction/r-coloring without over-tightening the throat.
LipsKeep lips neutral or lightly spread; avoid accidental rounding.
JawKeep the jaw relaxed and stable for the target vowel quality.
VoiceKeep voicing continuous and even through the segment.
Spelling patterns
- er as in butter
- or as in doctor
Practise this sound
- GuideSchwa /ə/: The Upside-Down e and How to Say It
- ConverterEnglish to IPA converter
- In SpanishCómo leer la transcripción fonética del inglés
- In FrenchLire la phonétique anglaise : guide pour débutants
- In PortuguesePronúncia em inglês para brasileiros: erros comuns
- In ItalianCome leggere la trascrizione fonetica inglese
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