MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · General American

English /ʌ/ vs /ɑ/Hut or hot?

Compare the middle vowels /ʌ/ and /ɑ/ in short American English words. Match the vowel category even when X begins with another consonant. Broader vowel-training evidence motivates coverage; this binary pool remains an editorial extrapolation.

Practice these sounds
/ʌ/

The STRUT vowel

This is the stressed vowel category in the second set of General American examples.

As inrut
/ɑ/

The ɑ category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As inrot

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Compare the middle vowels /ʌ/ and /ɑ/ in short American English words. Match the vowel category even when X begins with another consonant. Broader vowel-training evidence motivates coverage; this binary pool remains an editorial extrapolation.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
rut
/ɹʌt/a wheel track in the ground
hut
/hʌt/a small simple dwelling
nut
/nʌt/an edible kernel in a hard shell
cut
/kʌt/divide with a sharp tool
cup
/kʌp/a small drinking vessel
rot
/ɹɑt/decay
hot
/hɑt/having a high temperature
not
/nɑt/a word expressing negation
lock
/lɑk/a device that secures a door
cot
/kɑt/a narrow portable bed

10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.

Now, let your ears decide.

Can you hear the difference? Listen to two examples, then decide which sound you hear in a new word. Get feedback after every answer.

Practice these sounds

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Compare the middle vowels /ʌ/ and /ɑ/ in short American English words. Match the vowel category even when X begins with another consonant. Broader vowel-training evidence motivates coverage; this binary pool remains an editorial extrapolation.

Explore all English contrasts
🌐 English