IPA: /ʊ/ — The Short "oo" Sound
The /ʊ/ sound is a short, high back vowel — not as long or tense as /uː/. It's the sound you hear in words like "book," "good," "foot," and "push."
It’s a shorter, softer "oo" sound, made with slightly rounded lips and the tongue positioned high and toward the back, but not as much as in /uː/.
🧠 How to Know if It’s the /ʊ/ Sound:
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It’s a short vowel (unlike the long /uː/).
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Lips are slightly rounded, tongue is raised but not fully tense.
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Usually spelled with:
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oo (good, book)
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u (put, full)
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ou (could, would, should)
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🔤 Sample Words with /ʊ/:
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Book
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Good
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Foot
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Look
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Put
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Could
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Should
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Would
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Push
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Wool
📝 Simple Sentences with /ʊ/:
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I read a book every night.
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This soup tastes really good.
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He hurt his foot while running.
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Look at that bird!
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Please put your bag here.
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Could you help me?
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You should drink water.
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I would love to join.
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Don’t push the door too hard.
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The scarf is made of wool.
🔁 Tongue Twisters with /ʊ/:
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Good cooks look for the best books.
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Should we put the full wool hood?
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Would you push the bush with your foot?
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Could a cook cook good food in the woods?
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Look, a foot in the wool hood shook!
📖 Short Story with /ʊ/ Sound:
The Good Book
Tom found a book in the library. It looked old but felt good. He sat down and said, “Let me look inside.”
The book was about a little bear who wore a wool hat and had a sore foot. The bear could not walk, so he asked his friends for help.
“Should we carry you?” asked the rabbit.
“Yes, please! And don’t push me too hard,” said the bear.
At the end of the story, Tom smiled. He put the book back and said, “That was a good read!”
