International Phonetic Alphabet

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is the alphabet that shows pronunciation. It is based on the English alphabet.

Key to IPA representation of English sounds

A guide to English sounds, in a sort of alphabetical order:

• ɑ as 'a' in 'father', or British English 'fast', or 'o' in American English 'not'
• æ as in 'cat', or American English 'fast'
• aʊ as 'ow' in 'now'
• ə as 'a' in 'about', or 'e' in 'open'
• b as in 'be'
• d as in 'do'
• dʒ as 'j' in 'just', or 'g' in 'gene'
• ð as 'th' in 'this'
• eɪ as 'ei' in 'vein' or 'ai' in 'vain'
• ɛ as 'e' in 'get'
• eə as 'ai' in 'hair'
• ɪə as 'ea' in 'fear'
• ɜ as 'e' in 'her', 'i' in 'fir', or 'u' in 'fur'
• f as in 'for'
• g as in 'go'
• h as in 'he'
• i as in 'machine', or 'ee' in 'see'
• ɪ as in 'it'
• aɪ as 'i' in 'time'
• j as 'y' in 'you'
• k as in 'kiss', or 'c' in 'cat'
• l as in 'like'
• m as in 'me'
• n as in 'no'
• ɒ as in British English 'not'
• əʊ as 'o' in 'go'
• ɔ as 'o' in 'or', or 'aw' in 'awful'
• ɔɪ as 'oi' in 'coin'
• p as in 'pip'
• r as in 'right'
• s as in 'sit', or 'c' in 'nice'
• t as in 'tell'
• θ as in 'think'
• u as in 'true', or 'oo' in 'food'
• ʊ as 'u' in 'put' or 'oo' in 'foot'
• ʌ as 'u' in 'up'
• v as in 'very'
• w as in 'we'
• z as in 'zoo' or 's' in 'these'
• ʒ as 's' in 'vision'