Voiced labial–palatal approximant

Voiced labial–palatal approximant
ɥ
jʷ
Audio sample
source · help
Encoding
X-SAMPAH or j_w or j+w

The voiced labial-palatal approximant is a sound used in some spoken languages. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨ɥ⟩ or ⟨jʷ⟩. It is in English words like what (ɥät)

Characteristics

  • The airstream mechanism is pulmonic. This means that this sound is produced by pushing air solely with the lungs and diaphragm, as in most sounds.
  • The phonation is voiced. This means that the vocal cords vibrate while the sound is being pronounced.
  • The place of articulation (where the sound is produced) is palatal. This means that this sound is produced with the middle or back part of the tongue raised to the hard palate.
  • The manner of articulation (how the sound is produced) is approximant. This means that this sound is produced by narrowing the vocal tract at the place this sound is produced. However, it is not narrowed enough to produce a turbulent airstream.
  • It is an oral consonant. This means that air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.
  • It is a central consonant. This means that this sound is produced by directing the air along the center of the tongue, but not to the sides.
  • Its secondary articulation is labialised, which means the lips are rounded.

Examples

LanguageWordIPAMeaning
Abkhazауаҩа[awaɥa]'human'
Frenchhuit[ɥit]'eight'
Gajwɛi[ɥɛi]rubbish / trash

List of languages with [ɥ] on PHOIBLE