Close back rounded vowel

The close back rounded vowel, also called the high back rounded vowel, is a special sound used in many languages around the world. This sound is made by shaping the mouth in a particular way, and it is represented by the symbol ⟨u⟩ in the International Phonetic Alphabet IPA.

In most cases, when people make this sound, they round their lips outward, which is called being 'endolabial'. But in a few languages, the lips are brought together in a different way, known as 'exolabial'.

In some languages like French, this vowel sound can change and become similar to another sound called the labio-velar approximant, written as ⟨w⟩. In certain words, special symbols are used to show this change, helping linguists and language learners understand exactly how the sound is made.

Close back protruded vowel

The close back protruded vowel is a common type of vowel sound used in many languages. It is written with the symbol ⟨u⟩ in the International Phonetic Alphabet.

This vowel sound is made with the tongue close to the roof of the mouth and positioned toward the back. The lips are rounded by bringing them together, which helps create the sound.

Close back compressed vowel

Some languages, like Japanese and Swedish, have a special kind of vowel sound. This sound is made with the lips pressed together in a unique way, called compressed or exolabial. Only Shanghainese is known to have this special sound alongside a more common type of vowel.

The compressed sound can be shown with special symbols, but it might look a bit tricky. This type of vowel is made with the tongue high in the mouth and positioned towards the back. The lips are brought together tightly, making the sound unique.