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/ʌ/as in “cup”

Vowel

How to pronounce /ʌ/ in English

The /ʌ/ sound is a low-mid, relaxed, central vowel.

  • Central
  • Relaxed
  • Stressed

Note: This vowel sound only occurs in stressed syllables.

Example words

Common mistakes

Cut or cot

  • /ʌ/ came out as an open "ah": "cut" sounded like "cot". Open your jaw only halfway and keep it short.
  • /ʌ/ came out rounded. Keep your lips relaxed.

How to practise

  1. /ʌ/: short, jaw half open, tongue in the middle of the mouth.
  2. /ɑː/: jaw wide open, tongue pulled back — the "aah" of a doctor's visit.

Easily confused words

  • cut · cot
  • luck · lock
  • duck · dock
  • hut · hot

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