American IPA Chart | KK Phonetic Symbols Pronunciation Guide

American IPA Chart (also known as KK Phonetic Symbols, Kenyon and Knott notation) is a phonetic system specifically designed for transcribing American English pronunciation, created by American linguists John S. Kenyon and Thomas A. Knott in 1944. Compared to the British DJ phonetic symbols, the American IPA chart has significant differences in vowel symbols, for example, using /o/ instead of /əʊ/, and using /ɚ/ and /ɝ/ to represent r-colored mid vowels. This page includes all 50 commonly used English phonetic symbols (22 vowels and 28 consonants), providing standard approximate Chinese pronunciation techniques and example words, making it an important reference tool for English phonetic learners. The pronunciation methods for each phonetic symbol are detailed below in the order of vowels and consonants.

🔤 Front Vowels (6)

/i/ (Front High Vowel / "ee") : /i/ is called the front high vowel 'ee'. When pronouncing, the tip of the tongue touches the lower teeth, the front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate, the lips are spread, and the muscles are tense. Commonly found in words like see, tea, key. Note the distinction from the short vowel /ɪ/; the /i/ sound is longer and tenser.

/ɪ/ (Front High Vowel / Short "i") : /ɪ/ is called the front high vowel short 'i'. It is slightly more relaxed than /i/, with a slightly lower tongue position and a slightly open mouth. Commonly found in words like sit, big, city. Note that in American pronunciation, /ɪ/ is more relaxed than in British English.

/e/ (Front Mid Vowel / "eh") : /e/ is called the front mid vowel 'e'. When pronouncing, the tip of the tongue touches the lower teeth, the front of the tongue is slightly raised, and the mouth is moderately open. Commonly found in words like bed, pen, head. Note that in American English phonetics, it is often pronounced as /ɛ/.

/ɛ/ (Front Mid Vowel / "eh") : /ɛ/ is called the front mid vowel epsilon. When pronouncing, the mouth is slightly wider than for /e/, and the tongue position is slightly lower. Commonly found in words like bed, head, said. Note that this is a symbol specific to the American phonetic system.

/æ/ (Front Low Vowel / "a" as in cat) : /æ/ is called the 'ash' vowel. When pronouncing, the tip of the tongue touches the lower teeth, the front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate, and the mouth is wide open. Commonly found in words like cat, map, bad. Note that in American pronunciation, /æ/ is more fronted than in British English.

/ɑ/ (Back Low Vowel / "ah") : /ɑ/ is called the back low vowel 'a'. When pronouncing, the mouth is wide open, the tongue body retracts, and the tip of the tongue leaves the lower teeth. Commonly found in words like hot, father, car. Note that in American English phonetics, /ɑ/ replaces the British /ɒ/.

🔤 Back Vowels (6)

/ɔ/ (Back Mid Vowel / "aw") : /ɔ/ is called the back mid vowel 'o'. When pronouncing, the lips are rounded, the tongue body retracts, and the mouth is half open. Commonly found in words like door, more, law. Note that in American pronunciation, /ɔ/ often merges with /ɑ/.

/o/ (Back Mid Vowel / "oh") : /o/ is called the back mid vowel 'o'. When pronouncing, the lips are rounded, the back of the tongue is raised, and the sound is relatively short. Commonly found in words like go, no, boat. Note that American phonetics uses /o/ instead of the British /əʊ/.

/ʊ/ (Back High Vowel / Short "oo") : /ʊ/ is called the back high vowel short 'u'. When pronouncing, the tongue body retracts, and the lips are rounded but relaxed. Commonly found in words like book, good, put. Note not to pronounce it as the long /u/.

/u/ (Back High Vowel / "oo") : /u/ is called the back high vowel 'u'. When pronouncing, the lips are rounded and protruding, the back of the tongue is raised, and the sound is longer. Commonly found in words like food, moon, blue. Note the distinction from /ʊ/; the mouth shape is smaller and tenser.

/ʌ/ (Mid-Low Vowel / "uh") : /ʌ/ is called the mid-low vowel. When pronouncing, the middle of the tongue is raised, and the mouth is half open. Commonly found in words like cup, bus, love. Note the distinction from /ɑ/; the phonetic pronunciation is shorter and lighter.

/ə/ (Mid Central Vowel / "uh") : /ə/ is called the schwa. When pronouncing, the middle of the tongue is relaxed, and the mouth is naturally half open. Commonly found in words like about, banana, sofa. Note it is the most common reduced vowel in American English phonetics.

🔤 R-colored Vowels (2)

/ɚ/ (R-colored Mid Central Vowel / "er") : /ɚ/ is called the r-colored mid central vowel. When pronouncing, the middle of the tongue is raised while the tip of the tongue is curled. Commonly found in words like better, teacher, butter. Note this is a signature sound of American English phonetics.

/ɝ/ (R-colored Mid Vowel / "er") : /ɝ/ is called the r-colored mid vowel. When pronouncing, the middle of the tongue is raised, the tip of the tongue is curled, and the sound is longer. Commonly found in words like bird, her, work. Note the distinction from /ɚ/; the /ɝ/ pronunciation is longer and stressed.

🔤 Diphthongs (8)

/eɪ/ (Diphthong / "ay") : /eɪ/ is called the diphthong 'ei'. It glides from /e/ to /ɪ/, with the mouth changing from half-open to spread. Commonly found in words like day, make, name. Note the phonetic pronunciation should be smooth and natural.

/aɪ/ (Diphthong / "eye") : /aɪ/ is called the diphthong 'ai'. It glides from /a/ to /ɪ/, with the mouth changing from large to small. Commonly found in words like my, time, high. Note the starting sound is more fronted than /æ/.

/ɔɪ/ (Diphthong / "oy") : /ɔɪ/ is called the diphthong 'oi'. It glides from /ɔ/ to /ɪ/, with the lips changing from rounded to spread. Commonly found in words like boy, coin, toy. Note the starting sound is the rounded /ɔ/.

/aʊ/ (Diphthong / "ow") : /aʊ/ is called the diphthong 'ou'. It glides from /a/ to /ʊ/, with the mouth changing from large to rounded. Commonly found in words like now, house, mouth. Note the glide ends at /ʊ/.

/oʊ/ (Diphthong / "oh") : /oʊ/ is called the diphthong 'ou'. It glides from /o/ to /ʊ/, with the lips gradually rounding. Commonly found in words like go, no, boat. Note American English phonetics often uses /oʊ/.

/ɪr/ (Diphthong / "ear") : /ɪr/ is called the diphthong 'ear'. It glides from /ɪ/ to an r-colored sound. Commonly found in words like ear, here, idea. Note American English phonetics has a distinct r sound.

/ɛr/ (Diphthong / "air") : /ɛr/ is called the diphthong 'air'. It glides from /ɛ/ to an r-colored sound. Commonly found in words like air, care, bear. Note American English phonetics has a distinct r sound.

/ʊr/ (Diphthong / "ure") : /ʊr/ is called the diphthong 'ure'. It glides from /ʊ/ to an r-colored sound. Commonly found in words like tour, sure, poor. Note this sound often merges with /ɔr/ in American English phonetics.

📜 Plosives (6)

/p/ (Voiceless Plosive / "p") : /p/ is called the voiceless plosive 'p'. The lips close, air bursts out, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like pen, apple, top. Note that in American pronunciation, word-initial /p/ has stronger aspiration.

/b/ (Voiced Plosive / "b") : /b/ is called the voiced plosive 'b'. The lips close, air bursts out, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like book, baby, cab. Note the distinction from /p/; voiced sounds require vocal cord vibration.

/t/ (Voiceless Plosive / "t") : /t/ is called the voiceless plosive 't'. The tip of the tongue touches the upper alveolar ridge, air bursts out, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like time, water, hat. Note that in American English phonetics, /t/ between vowels often becomes voiced as /d/.

/d/ (Voiced Plosive / "d") : /d/ is called the voiced plosive 'd'. The tip of the tongue touches the upper alveolar ridge, air bursts out, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like day, red, bed. Note the distinction from /t/; voiced sounds require vocal cord vibration.

/k/ (Voiceless Plosive / "k") : /k/ is called the voiceless plosive 'k'. The back of the tongue touches the soft palate, air bursts out, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like cat, key, black. Note it is similar to the pinyin 'k'.

/g/ (Voiced Plosive / "g") : /g/ is called the voiced plosive 'g'. The back of the tongue touches the soft palate, air bursts out, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like good, bag, egg. Note American phonetics often uses /g/ instead of /ɡ/.

📜 Fricatives (9)

/f/ (Voiceless Fricative / "f") : /f/ is called the voiceless fricative 'f'. The upper teeth lightly touch the lower lip, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like fish, coffee, if. Note it is similar to pinyin 'f'.

/v/ (Voiced Fricative / "v") : /v/ is called the voiced fricative 'v'. The upper teeth lightly touch the lower lip, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like very, seven, love. Note this sound does not exist in Chinese; it requires deliberate vocal cord vibration.

/s/ (Voiceless Fricative / "s") : /s/ is called the voiceless fricative 's'. The tip of the tongue is close to the upper alveolar ridge, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like sun, city, bus. Note it is similar to pinyin 's'.

/z/ (Voiced Fricative / "z") : /z/ is called the voiced fricative 'z'. The tip of the tongue is close to the upper alveolar ridge, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like zoo, music, is. Note vocal cord vibration is required.

/θ/ (Voiceless Fricative / "th") : /θ/ is called the voiceless fricative 'th'. The tip of the tongue lightly touches the upper teeth, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like think, three, mouth. Note this is a signature sound of English phonetic pronunciation.

/ð/ (Voiced Fricative / "th") : /ð/ is called the voiced fricative 'th'. The tip of the tongue lightly touches the upper teeth, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like this, mother, clothe. Note the distinction from /θ/; vocal cord vibration is required.

/ʃ/ (Voiceless Fricative / "sh") : /ʃ/ is called the voiceless fricative 'sh'. The tongue body is raised towards the upper palate, the lips are slightly rounded, and air is forced through the gap. Commonly found in words like she, nation, fish. Note not to confuse it with Chinese 'x'.

/ʒ/ (Voiced Fricative / "zh") : /ʒ/ is called the voiced fricative 'zh'. The tongue body is raised towards the upper palate, the lips are slightly rounded, air is forced through the gap, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like vision, leisure. Note vocal cord vibration is required.

/h/ (Voiceless Fricative / "h") : /h/ is called the voiceless fricative 'h'. Air is forced through the glottis, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like house, hello, who. Note it is different from pinyin 'h'.

📜 Affricates (6)

/tʃ/ (Voiceless Affricate / "ch") : /tʃ/ is called the voiceless affricate 'ch'. It consists of /t/ and /ʃ/. Air first bursts out and then creates friction, and the vocal cords do not vibrate. Commonly found in words like chair, watch, future. Note the phonetic pronunciation is quick and connected.

/dʒ/ (Voiced Affricate / "j") : /dʒ/ is called the voiced affricate 'j'. It consists of /d/ and /ʒ/. Air first bursts out and then creates friction, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like judge, age, bridge. Note the distinction from /tʃ/.

/tr/ (Voiceless Affricate / "tr") : /tr/ is called the voiceless affricate 'tr'. It consists of /t/ and /r/. Air first bursts out and then the tongue curls. Commonly found in words like try, tree, country. Note the tip of the tongue curls quickly.

/dr/ (Voiced Affricate / "dr") : /dr/ is called the voiced affricate 'dr'. It consists of /d/ and /r/. Air first bursts out and then the tongue curls, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like dream, drive. Note the distinction from /tr/.

/ts/ (Voiceless Affricate / "ts") : /ts/ is called the voiceless affricate 'ts'. It consists of /t/ and /s/. Air first bursts out and then creates friction. Commonly found in words like cats, students. Note it usually appears at the end of words.

/dz/ (Voiced Affricate / "dz") : /dz/ is called the voiced affricate 'dz'. It consists of /d/ and /z/. Air first bursts out and then creates friction, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like beds, friends. Note it usually appears at the end of words.

📜 Nasals, Lateral, Semivowels (7)

/m/ (Nasal / "m") : /m/ is called the nasal 'm'. The lips close, air passes through the nasal cavity, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like man, name, summer. Note the lips must be tightly closed.

/n/ (Nasal / "n") : /n/ is called the nasal 'n'. The tip of the tongue touches the upper alveolar ridge, air passes through the nasal cavity, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like no, name, sun. Note the distinction from /m/.

/ŋ/ (Nasal / "ng") : /ŋ/ is called the nasal 'ng'. The back of the tongue touches the soft palate, air passes through the nasal cavity, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like sing, long, bank. Note it cannot appear at the beginning of a word.

/l/ (Lateral / "l") : /l/ is called the lateral 'l'. The tip of the tongue touches the upper alveolar ridge, air passes through the sides of the tongue, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like like, ball, leg. Note the word-final /l/ has a more retracted tongue position.

/r/ (R-colored Sound / "r") : /r/ is called the r-colored sound 'r'. The tip of the tongue is curled towards the upper palate, air passes through the gap, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like red, car, run. Note American English phonetics has a distinctly curled r sound.

/j/ (Semivowel / "y") : /j/ is called the semivowel 'y'. The front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate, air passes through, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like yes, you, new. Note it is a consonant symbol.

/w/ (Semivowel / "w") : /w/ is called the semivowel 'w'. The lips are rounded and protruding, air passes through, and the vocal cords vibrate. Commonly found in words like we, water, when. Note the distinction from /v/.

📌 Notes for Learning American Phonetic Symbols

First, the main differences between the American IPA chart (KK phonetic symbols) and the British DJ phonetic symbols lie in the vowel symbols: American uses /o/ instead of British /əʊ/, /ɑ/ instead of /ɒ/, and adds two r-colored vowels /ɚ/ and /ɝ/. Second, in American English, the r sound is still pronounced after vowels, forming r-colored vowels. Third, in American English, /t/ between vowels often becomes voiced as /d/, for example, "water" is pronounced /ˈwɑdɚ/. Fourth, voiceless and voiced consonants come in pairs, distinguished by whether the vocal cords vibrate. Fifth, if you need to input English phonetic symbols in LaTeX, it is recommended to use the tipa package. Sixth, pay attention to font support when copying SVG source code. Seventh, learning English phonetic pronunciation should be combined with imitation practice in real contexts such as American TV shows and movies.

💡 Tips for Learning American Phonetic Symbols

Click the pronunciation button on any American phonetic symbol card to play the standard American pronunciation of that symbol (using the Web Speech API via example words). For American English learners and teachers, it is recommended to use this page as an English phonetic symbol quick reference tool, combined with audio resources for practice. Remembering the standard pronunciation techniques for each phonetic symbol helps to precisely correct pronunciation. The approximate Chinese sound annotations on this page will provide you with a reliable reference. During practice, you can repeatedly listen and compare easily confused sounds such as /ɑ/ and /ɔ/, /i/ and /ɪ/, /θ/ and /s/.