Vowels, part one

The five short vowels

A short vowel is written with a single letter and is always followed by a consonant in the same syllable: man, bed, vis, bom, bus. Two of them, e and i, are English freebies. Two, a and o, are English with a British accent. One, u, is new, and it is the one to spend your attention on.

aɑshort aLocked

Sounds likeThe "o" in British "hot", or a doctor's "ah" with the door slammed on it. Short, far back in the mouth, no smile.

How to make it, how to remember itOpen wide for the doctor, say "ah", then cut it off instantly. That clipped, dark "ah" is the Dutch short a in man and kat.

manmankatcatdagdaybalballtasbagwatwhat

Never like the "a" in English "cat". If anything it is closer to the "u" in "cut".

eɛshort eLocked

Sounds likeExactly the "e" in English "bed".

How to make it, how to remember itNothing to learn: Dutch bed is English bed, same vowel, same meaning. Pen is pen.

bedbedpenpenleslessonmetwithzessixwegroad, away

Only when the e is stressed. An unstressed e collapses to the schwa (see that card): the e in lopen is not this sound.

iɪshort iLocked

Sounds likeThe "i" in English "fish" or "bit".

How to make it, how to remember itDutch vis is English fish with the same vowel. Picture a fat chicken (dik, kip) sitting on a fish (vis). All short i.

visfishdikfat, thickkipchickenwitwhiteikIditthis

oɔshort oLocked

Sounds likeThe "o" in British "pot" or "hot". Lips rounded.

How to make it, how to remember itSay "pot" like a Londoner, lips in a small circle, and you have Dutch pot. Americans: do not say "paht".

bombombpotpotzonsunkopcup, headoponbosforest

uʏshort uLocked

Sounds likeNot English "bus". Say the "i" of "bit" while rounding your lips as for "put". Close to the "ir" in British "bird", cut short.

How to make it, how to remember itA Dutch bus has round headlights. Say "bis" (as in bit), then push your lips into a small round "oo" shape without moving your tongue. Out comes bus.

busbuskuskissputwell (in the ground)dunthinzussisterluchtair

This is the hardest short vowel for English speakers because the letter looks so familiar. Listen to bus a few times before you trust yourself.

Test this chapter

Click a tile to hear its word, then type what is missing. It does not affect your reviews.