Language and Linguistics
International phonetic alphabet examples History sounds
What is the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)?
The IPA ( International Phonetic Alphabet ) is a system of written symbols used to describe the sounds of languages. Lets see here International phonetic alphabet examples.
It is not usually studied in academies and schools but it can be an interesting tool for students who actively seek to improve their pronunciation.
History of the International Phonetic Alphabet
International Phonetic Alphabet Sounds In Everyday Speech
Short Vowels
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
e | Went, intend, send, letter. |
æ | Cat, hand, nap, flat, have. |
ʌ | Fun, love, money, one, London, come. |
ʊ | Put, look, should, cook, book, look. |
ɒ | Rob, top, watch, squat, sausage. |
ə | Alive, again, mother. |
Long Vowels
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
i: | Need, beat, team. |
ɜ: | Nurse, heard, third, turn. |
ɔ: | Talk, law, bored, yawn, jaw. |
u: | Few, boot, lose, gloomy, fruit, chew. |
ɑ: | Fast, car, hard, bath. |
Diphthong Vowels
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
ɪə | Near, ear, clear, tear, beer, fear |
eə | Hair, there, care, stairs, pear |
eɪ | Face, space, rain , case, eight |
ɔɪ | Joy, employ, toy, coil, oyster. |
aɪ | My, sight, pride, kind, flight |
əʊ | No, don’t, stones, alone, hole |
aʊ | Mouth, house, brown, cow, out |
Consonants Sounds: Fricatives
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
f | Full, Friday, fish, knife. |
v | Vest, village, view, cave. |
θ | Thought, think, Bath. |
ð | There, those, brothers, others. |
z | Zoo, crazy, lazy, zigzag, nose. |
ʃ | Shirt, rush, shop, cash. |
ʒ | Television, delusion, casual |
h | High, help, hello. |
Consonants Sounds: Plosives
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
p | Pin, cap, purpose, pause. |
b | Bag, bubble, build, robe. |
t | Time, train, tow, late. |
d | Door, day, drive, down, feed. |
k | Cash, quick, cricket, sock. |
g | Girl, green, grass, flag. |
Consonants Sounds: Affricates
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
ʈʃ | Choose, cheese, church, watch. |
dʒ | Joy, juggle, juice, stage. |
Consonants Sounds: Nasals
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
m | Room, mother, mad, more. |
n | Now, nobody, knew, turn. |
ŋ | King, thing, song, swimming. |
Consonants Sounds: Approximants
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
r | Road, roses, river, ring, ride. |
j | Yellow, usual, tune, yesterday, yard. |
w | Wall, walk, wine, world. |
l and ɫ | Law, lots, leap, long, pill, cold, chill, melt. |
We hope you will have understood the International phonetic alphabet examples.