Keyword lettER
/ɚ/as in “teacher”
How to make it
- Relax your jaw as for the weak "uh" in "about".
- Bunch or curl your tongue as for "r" at the same time.
- Keep it short and unstressed.
Common mistake
Pronouncing a full vowel plus a rolled r ("doc-tor" with a clear "o"). It is one short, weak sound.
In words
Listen at normal speed or slowly, then say it yourself.
- teacher
- water
- doctor
US and UK
American English
/ɚ/
British speakers use a plain "uh" (schwa) here, with no r: teacher, water, doctor.
British English
—
British English doesn't have /ɚ/ as a separate sound.
The r after vowels
American English pronounces r wherever it is written (car, water, bird). British English only pronounces it before a vowel.
| American | British | |
|---|---|---|
| car | /kɑːr/ | /kɑː/ |
| water | /ˈwɑːt̬ɚ/ | /ˈwɔːtə/ |
| bird | /bɝːd/ | /bɜːd/ |
| here | /hɪr/ | /hɪə/ |