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Vowel/Diphthong

Long U / Cute Vowel

The sound heard in words like "cute", "music", "few", and "use". It typically starts with a /j/ glide (like 'y' in 'yes') and moves into the Long OO /u/ sound. Sometimes, after certain consonants (like R, L, J, CH, SH), the /j/ glide is dropped, and it sounds like Long OO /u/ (e.g., rule, blue, chew).

Phonetic
yoo/o͞o
Voicing
Voiced
Place of Articulation
Diphthong: Starts high-front (for /j/), glides to high-back (for /u/)
Manner of Articulation
Diphthong (Gliding Vowel)
Mouth Position

Start with the tongue high and front, similar to the start of 'yes'. Lips may be slightly spread. Then, quickly glide the tongue high and back while rounding the lips tightly for the /u/ sound.

How to Make This Sound

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Example Words

use (verb)Main Example
juz
cute
kjut
music
ˈmjuzɪk
few
fju
human
ˈhjumən
huge
hjudʒ
student
ˈstudənt
beautiful
ˈbjutəfəl
view
vju
argue
ˈɑrgju

Pronunciation Practice

11 words

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3-5 essential words

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All 11 words

Minimal Pairs

Listen and compare similar sounds

yoo/o͞o
use (verb)
juz
Compare with
U
ooze
uz
yoo/o͞o
few
fju
Compare with
F
food
fud
yoo/o͞o
cute
kjut
Compare with
C
coot
kut

Tongue Twister

Practice: Vowel/Diphthong
“Hugh viewed the unique, beautiful unicorn.”
Practice this tongue twister to improve your pronunciation