/ʊ/as in “book”

Vowel

How to pronounce /ʊ/ in English

The /ʊ/ sound is a near-high, relaxed, back vowel.

Near-high
Relaxed
Back
Slightly rounded

Jaw
Open your mouth slightly.
Tongue
Relax your tongue, raise the back high up, and pull it towards your throat.
Lips
Round your lips slightly and keep them relaxed.

Example words

book
put
good
foot
could
wood

Common mistakes

Pool or pull

/ʊ/ came out as /uː/: "full" sounded like "fool". Loosen your lips and keep it short.
/uː/ came out as /ʊ/: "pool" sounded like "pull". Round and push your lips forward.

How to practise

/uː/: lips tightly rounded and pushed forward, tongue tense.
/ʊ/: lips loosely rounded, jaw a little more open; short and relaxed.

Easily confused words

pool · pull
fool · full
Luke · look
who'd · hood

Practise /ʊ/ with Letty

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