Pronunciation

A high, back, rounded vowel — similar to the “oo” in food, but usually shorter and tenser.

How to Pronounce “u” (Step-by-step)

① Lips

Strongly rounded

Lips push forward like when saying “oo”

② Tongue position

High in the mouth

Back of the tongue raised toward the soft palate

Tongue is tense, not relaxed

③ Mouth opening

Very small mouth opening

Jaw almost closed

④ Airflow

Smooth, continuous airflow

No friction, no constriction

English Comparison

Closest sound: oo in food, boot, too

Differences:

Vietnamese u is shorter

Vietnamese u is purer (no diphthong glide)

Pronunciation

A mid-high, back, rounded vowel, similar to the “o” in “go”, but shorter and purer (not a diphthong).

How to Pronounce “ô” (Step-by-step)

① Lips

Rounded, but less rounded than Vietnamese u

Gently pushed forward

Shape like saying English “oh”

② Tongue position

Tongue is mid-high (between /u/ and /ɔ/)

Tongue pulled toward the back

No tension or friction

③ Mouth opening

Medium-small

More closed than Vietnamese “o”

(ô is higher, o is lower)

④ Airflow

Smooth, no friction

Pronunciation

A mid-low, back, rounded vowel — similar to the “aw” in saw, law, thought (depending on accent).

It is lower and more open than Vietnamese ô.

How to Pronounce “o” (Step-by-step)

① Lips

Rounded

More open than ô

Do NOT push lips too far forward

② Tongue position

Mid-low (lower than ô)

Tongue pulled back

Tongue slightly relaxed

③ Mouth opening

Medium-wide

More open than ô

Less open than “a,” but noticeably wider than “ô”

④ Airflow

Smooth and open

No tension