Lips
Start rounded, as for "aw". As you glide, the rounding relaxes and the lips move toward a slight spread. The diagram shows the rounded start.
Diphthongs
/ɔɪ/as in choice
One gliding sound: start on a rounded "aw", then slide up to a light "ee". Round to spread, in one motion.
Example words: choice, boy, noise, toy, enjoy
Accent
Mouth
How do you pronounce the /ɔɪ/ sound?
Tongue
Start low and back. Glide up and forward toward the high-front "ee" position while the sound continues.
Length
Long. Hold the rounded "aw" start; let the "ee" ending stay short and light.
Video lesson
Try it
- Round your lips and start a strong "aw".
- While the voice keeps going, unround and glide the tongue up toward "ee".
- Feel the lips travel from round to spread in one smooth move.
- Try it in words: choice, boy, noise.
Check
Watch your lips in a mirror while saying "boy". They should start round and finish slightly spread, all inside one sound. If they stay round the whole time, the glide is missing.
Common trap
Splitting it into two syllables ("aw-ee"), or freezing on the rounded "aw", so "boy" comes out like "baw".
Practice: /ɔɪ/
Words
choicetʃˈɔɪs
boybˈɔɪ
noisenˈɔɪz
toytˈɔɪ
enjoyɪndʒˈɔɪ
Sentences
The boy enjoys playing with his new toys.ðə bˈɔɪ ɪndʒˈɔɪz plˈeɪɪŋ wɪð hɪz nˈu tˈɔɪz.
That noise annoys everyone at the office.ðˌæt nˈɔɪz ənˈɔɪz ˈɛvɹiwən æt ði ˈɔfəs.
Join us if you enjoy loud music.dʒˈɔɪn ˌʌs ɪf ju ɪndʒˈɔɪ lˈaʊd mjˈuzɪk.
It was a good choice to avoid the noise.ˌɪt wʌz ɐ ɡˈʊd tʃˈɔɪs tʊ əvˈɔɪd ðə nˈɔɪz.
Her voice sounds joyful this morning.hˌɜɹ vˈɔɪs sˈaʊndz dʒˈɔɪfəl ðɪs mˈɔɹnɪŋ.
Words
choicetʃˈɔɪs
boybˈɔɪ
noisenˈɔɪz
toytˈɔɪ
enjoyɪndʒˈɔɪ
Sentences
The boy enjoys playing with his new toys.ðə bˈɔɪ ɪndʒˈɔɪz plˈeɪɪŋ wɪð hɪz njˈuː tˈɔɪz.
That noise annoys everyone at the office.ðˌat nˈɔɪz ənˈɔɪz ˈɛvɹɪwʌn at ði ˈɒfɪs.
Join us if you enjoy loud music.dʒˈɔɪn ˌʌs ɪf juː ɪndʒˈɔɪ lˈaʊd mjˈuːzɪk.
It was a good choice to avoid the noise.ˌɪt wɒz ɐ ɡˈʊd tʃˈɔɪs tʊ əvˈɔɪd ðə nˈɔɪz.
Her voice sounds joyful this morning.hˌɜː vˈɔɪs sˈaʊndz dʒˈɔɪfʊl ðɪs mˈɔːnɪŋ.
🔊 plays the app's native voice. 🎤 records you so you can play it back next to it. Your recording stays in your browser.
Sounds in the same group
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