Close back rounded vowel

The close back rounded vowel, or high back rounded vowel,^[1] is a type of vowel sound used in many spoken languages. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨u⟩, and the equivalent X-SAMPA symbol is u.

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Close back rounded vowel

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u

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u

In most languages, this rounded vowel is pronounced with protruded lips ('endolabial'). However, in a few cases the lips are compressed ('exolabial').

[u] alternates with labio-velar approximant [w] in certain languages, such as French, and in the diphthongs of some languages, [u̯] with the non-syllabic diacritic and [w] are used in different transcription systems to represent the same sound.

Its is close, also known as high, which means the tongue is positioned close to the roof of the mouth without creating a constriction that would be classified as a consonant.

vowel height

Its is back, which means the tongue is positioned back in the mouth without creating a constriction that would be classified as a consonant.

vowel backness

Its is protruded, which means that the corners of the lips are drawn together, and the inner surfaces exposed.

roundedness

Its is close, also known as high, which means the tongue is positioned close to the roof of the mouth without creating a constriction that would be classified as a consonant.

vowel height

Its is back, which means the tongue is positioned back in the mouth without creating a constriction that would be classified as a consonant.

vowel backness

Its is compressed, which means that the margins of the lips are tense and drawn together in such a way that the inner surfaces are not exposed.

Close back rounded vowel