Cap or Cup? How to see and say the difference between \/æ\/ and \/ʌ\/
What is the difference between cap and cup?
Sometimes, the difference between crucial sounds in English can be very small. That is the case with 'cap' and 'cup', because the vowels /æ/ and /ʌ/ are made very close to each other in the mouth.
Pronunciation is a key part of using English to communicate. And if you're not sure how to say a word, it can impact your confidence and fluency.
If you don't have these two distinct sounds in your own language, it may be hard for you to tell them apart - and even harder for you to make them clearly. This blog is designed to help you hear and say these two sounds.
Watch: Learn how to say 'cap' and 'cup' in British English
How does the International Phonetic Alphabet help me learn these sounds?
When you look at the IPA script shown in the slash brackets, you can see clearly that the vowels are pronounced differently:
cap /kæp/
cup /kʌp/
You will find these IPA spellings - along with an audio sample - in learners' dictionaries, like the Cambridge Dictionary so you can always check exactly how a word should be pronounced.
If you want to learn and practice all 44 sounds and symbols in British English, our interactive British English vowels and consonants chart is a great place to start...
Test your listening skills with this short video quiz - can you hear these words clearly?
Which words or sounds do you find difficult to pronounce? Get in touch with me via our website and maybe I'll cover your suggestion in a future video or blog!
Do you want to improve your pronunciation at your own pace and in your own home? Take a look at our Pronunciation Power Online Course to see how you can build your English speaking skills in just a few minutes a day.
About the author
Hi there 👋 My name is Jenny Dance, and I have over 20 years' teaching experience. I am fascinated by language and sound, and have a passion for pronunciation...