Lips
Start rounded, as for "uu", relaxing slightly as the r takes over. The diagram shows the rounded start.
R-coloured vowels · American English
/ʊr/as in cure
The American "cure" vowel: a rounded "uu" gliding into the r colour. It ends on a real r, unlike the British version that melts into "uh".
Example words: cure, tour, pure, sure, tourist
Mouth
How do you pronounce the /ʊr/ sound?
Tongue
Start high-back. Then curl the tip up and back, or bunch the mid-tongue, into the r. The tip never touches the roof of the mouth.
Length
Medium. A short rounded "uu", then hold the r colour to finish the sound.
Video lesson
Try it
- Round your lips and start a short "uu".
- While the voice continues, curl or bunch the tongue into the r.
- Let the r colour finish the word, tip floating the whole time.
- Try it in words: cure, tour, pure.
Check
Say "tour" and hold the last sound. You should be able to sustain a steady "errrr" at the end with no tapping. If the ending is a soft "uh" that vanishes, add the r back.
Common trap
Dropping the r so "tour" ends on a weak "uh" (that is the British version), or tapping and trilling the tongue. Hold the shape instead.
Practice: /ʊr/
Words
curekjˈʊɹ
tourtˈʊɹ
purepjˈʊɹ
sureʃˈʊɹ
touristtˈʊɹɪst
Sentences
Are you sure the tour is today?ˌɑɹ ju ʃˈʊɹ ðə tˈʊɹ ɪz tədˈeɪ?
The tourists were sure about their plans.ðə tˈʊɹɪsts wɜɹ ʃˈʊɹ əbˈaʊt ðɛɹ plˈænz.
This medicine could surely cure your cold.ðˌɪs mˈɛdəsən kʊd ʃˈʊɹli kjˈʊɹ jʊɹ kˈoʊld.
The curious tourist took many photos.ðə kjˈʊɹiəs tˈʊɹɪst tˈʊk mˈɛni fˈoʊɾoʊz.
I'm sure the mountain air is pure.ˌaɪm ʃˈʊɹ ðə mˈaʊntən ˈɛɹ ɪz pjˈʊɹ.
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Sounds in the same group
Is /ʊr/ one of yours?
Accenty listens to you speak and shows the sounds you miss, in American English.
