Which sound is represented by the letter "u"?

The letter "u" typically represents the sound "oo," as in the words "moon," "food," and "true." This sound is a close back rounded vowel, which means that during its production, the back of the tongue is raised toward the roof of the mouth while rounding the lips. Recognizing vowel sounds is key in phonetics since they differ significantly in terms of articulation and acoustics.

In contrast, the other options represent different vowel sounds. "Ahhhhhh" is associated with an open back unrounded vowel, typically represented by the letter "a" in words like "father." The sound "Aw" corresponds to an open-mid back rounded vowel often found in words like "saw," usually represented by the letter combination "aw." The sound "Oh" relates to a mid back rounded vowel found in words like "go," which is generally represented by the letter "o" or vowel combinations such as "oa." Understanding these distinctions is crucial for phonetic transcription and pronunciation in both English and other languages.