Lessons Unit 3, lesson 5
n + vowels
The n beginning opening into every vowel it starts words with. Get the mouth ready for n, release straight into the vowel — no gap, no extra sound between them.
What do the marks mean?
Want the full walkthrough? Read the map explains every mark, with practice.
nn as in name
Tongue tip up behind your top teeth, and hum through your nose: nnn.
n + every vowel
One row per combination. Tap any word to hear it — every sheet comes straight from the tool.
| n æ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| n ɪ | |||
| n ɛ | |||
| n ʌ | |||
| n ɑ | |||
| n iː | |||
| n uː | |||
| n ɔː | |||
| n eɪ | |||
| n aɪ | |||
| n ɔɪ | |||
| n aʊ | |||
| n oʊ | |||
| n ɝ |
A hum through the nose
The n in name, net, and nut is built the same way every time: tongue tip on the ridge behind your teeth, air humming out through your nose. Because it's a continuant, you can stretch it out to double-check you're making it correctly before you release into the vowel.
Vowels that pull it off course
Two pairings deserve extra attention. Noise and noisy use the rare ɔɪ diphthong, which starts more open than most learners expect, and new and knew both hide a silent k that used to be pronounced centuries ago — the n absorbs all of that spelling history now.
Work down a column, saying each word once, then close your eyes and say it again, keeping the nasal hum identical no matter what vowel follows — the tongue tip shouldn't drift back or forward as the vowel changes.