Let’s talk now about how to make the short “closed” u sound. This sound actually has a different IPA symbol (ʊ) than the short “open” u sound (ʌ). It is different, and we need to talk about how to make it.

To make this sound, you will close your mouth a little more. Your tongue is not relaxed, but it raises slightly and pulls toward the back of your mouth.

Open U Is More Common Than Closed U

Closed u is not a very common sound, although you will find it in a lot of common English words. There was only one word in the first chapter of John with this sound, so I added some extra words that you’ll probably hear a lot in everyday conversation. Repeat them after me.

full
sugar
put
good
look
book
cook
pull
push

You have now learned all the short vowel sounds in American English! These sounds are more common than their longer relatives. If you see a word that you don’t know how to pronounce, try the short sound of the vowel, and you will have a better chance of being correct!

One More Short Vowel Sound

But…there is one more short vowel sound that you need to learn. This sound does not have a letter of the alphabet, but it does have an IPA symbol. Even more confusing, it can be spelled many different ways. It’s an easy sound to make – let’s learn it now!