What is the phonetic position of the sound "ʊ"?

The sound "ʊ" is categorized as a high, back, lax, and rounded vowel. Its placement in the mouth—high up and towards the back—means that when producing this sound, the tongue is positioned close to the roof of the mouth but not completely obstructing airflow, which is characteristic of a lax vowel. Additionally, "ʊ" is rounded, meaning that the lips are rounded while the sound is produced, giving it a distinct quality from other vowel sounds.

Recognizing the characteristics of "ʊ" is important for understanding vowel classifications in phonetics. This awareness helps with accurate pronunciation and helps differentiate between similar sounds. The mix of these features—high tongue position, back placement, laxness, and rounding—defines "ʊ" clearly within the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) framework.