Keyword SQUARE
/eə/as in “hair”
How to make it
- Start with the "e" of "bed".
- Glide to the relaxed "uh" of "about" — many speakers simply hold a long "e".
- Do not add an r.
Common mistake
Adding an r or saying the "ay" of "day". Americans say "hair" as the "e" of "bed" plus r.
In words
Listen at normal speed or slowly, then say it yourself.
- hair
- where
- care
US and UK
British English
/eə/
American English
—
American English doesn't have /eə/ as a separate sound.
The vowels in "here", "hair" and "tour"
British English glides into a relaxed "uh" (here, hair, tour); American English uses a plain vowel followed by r. Many British speakers also say "sure" and "tour" with the "or" of "more".
| American | British | |
|---|---|---|
| here | /hɪr/ | /hɪə/ |
| hair | /her/ | /heə/ |
| tour | /tʊr/ | /tʊə/ |