r
Rolled r, as in Spanish perro
In strict IPA, /r/ is a trill: the tongue tip flutters against the ridge behind the teeth. Spanish rr and a word-initial r.
IPA consonants English doesn't have
Most language learners first hear about IPA through the letter r, and for good reason: the r of Spanish perro, of Spanish pero, of French être and of English red are four different sounds, and IPA gives each its own symbol. This lesson sorts them out.
The rest are sounds English spells with nothing at all. The German ch of ich, the Spanish j of mejor and the Russian х are all fricatives made further back than anything in English - /ç/ in the middle of the tongue, /x/ at the back. Spanish also softens b, d and g between vowels into /β/, /ð/ and /ɣ/, which is why amigo never sounds quite like it is spelt.
Russian adds the retroflex hush sounds and a hard/soft distinction. The small raised ʲ after a consonant, as in /ˈotɕɪnʲ/, means it is palatalised: said with the middle of the tongue raised, as if a /j/ were hiding in it.
The symbols
ɾ
Tapped r, as in Spanish pero
One quick tap of the tongue tip - the same movement as the t in a fast American water. Pero (but) and perro (dog) differ only in /ɾ/ against /r/.
ʁ
French r, as in être
Made at the back, near the uvula: a voiced, soft scrape. Brazilian Portuguese uses a similar back r in ser.
x
Back ch, as in German noch
Not the English x. A scrape at the back of the mouth: German noch, Spanish mejor, Russian хорошо.
ç
Front ch, as in German ich
The same kind of hiss made further forward, where /j/ is: German ich and nicht. Whisper the start of huge and you are close.
ɲ
ñ, as in Spanish año
An /n/ made with the middle of the tongue on the roof of the mouth: Spanish ñ, French and Italian gn.
ʎ
Palatal l, as in Italian gli
An /l/ made with the middle of the tongue: Italian gli, Portuguese lh, and the ll of Castilian Spanish.
β
Soft b, as in Spanish saber
A b with the lips not quite closing, so air keeps flowing. Spanish b and v between vowels.
ɣ
Soft g, as in Spanish amigo
A g that never quite closes: the back of the tongue approaches the soft palate and air keeps flowing.
ʂ
Retroflex sh, as in Russian что
A sh with the tongue tip pulled back and the tongue hollowed: Russian ш and the ч of что.
- что/ʂto/Russian
ʐ
Retroflex zh, as in Russian уже
The voiced partner of /ʂ/: Russian ж.
tɕ
Soft ch, as in Russian очень
A ch made with the middle of the tongue against the hard palate, softer than English /tʃ/: Russian ч.
Drill
0/10
Part of Kilo Lingo Plus - the lesson above is free to read.
Which word is this?
/ˈalɣo/