Keyword TRAP
/æ/as in “cat”
How to make it
- Open your jaw wide.
- Keep your tongue low and forward, touching your bottom teeth.
- Spread your lips slightly.
Common mistake
Saying "e" ("bed" for "bad") or a central "a" that sounds like "u" ("cut" for "cat").
In words
Listen at normal speed or slowly, then say it yourself.
- cat
- black
- hand
Don't confuse with
Listen and choose the word you hear.
US and UK
British English
/æ/
American English
/æ/
The vowel in "bath"
In words like bath, dance and can't, Americans use the "a" of "cat" and British speakers the "ah" of "father".
| American | British | |
|---|---|---|
| bath | /bæθ/ | /bɑːθ/ |
| dance | /dæns/ | /dɑːns/ |
| can't | /kænt/ | /kɑːnt/ |
| after | /ˈæftɚ/ | /ˈɑːftə/ |