The audio here is generated speech. A recorded human voice for this lesson is on the way.
One letter, three sounds
The letter U makes three main sounds. The short U, in "cup", "fun" and "bus", is the most common vowel in English: a relaxed, open "uh", with your mouth barely moving. The long U, in "cute", "music" and "use", starts with a Y glide: "yoo". After some consonants, as in "rule", "flu" and "June", it is a plain "oo" with no Y. And in a small group, "put", "full" and "push", it is a short, relaxed "oo".
Learners often use one "oo" sound for everything. The pair to practice is "full" and "fool": the first is short and loose, the second long and tight. The same contrast separates "pull" and "pool", "look" and "Luke".
Hear the difference
Tap each word. Then test your ear.
Short "oo" is loose and quick. Long "oo" is tight, with rounded lips.
The last four switch contrast: short "uh" against long "yoo".
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
"Music" has a Y glide. "Tune" in American English does not.
Practice · 3 min
Repeat each sentence after the model. Keep "full" and "pull" short and loose, "moon" and "pool" long and round. Record the last sentence and listen for three different vowel sounds in "look", "full" and "moon".
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.