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Core minimal pairs
Core minimal pairs for /u/
/u/ has tight lip rounding and a high back tongue. Hold it longer than /ʊ/ (BOOK).
Practice these minimal pairs carefully. If the pair sounds the same in your recording, you're not making the contrast.
Your goal
- Say each pair slowly first — exaggerate the difference.
- Then say each pair at natural speed with the contrast preserved.
- Record and self-check.
/u/close back roundedArticulator diagram · regional variants · drill ↗
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pool
Luke
who'd
Your Turn — 4 exercises
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