The oo sound in English: /uː/ /ʊ/
IPA: /uː/ /ʊ/ · Closest Arabic sound: واو مدّ (ـو) أو ضمة قصيرة (أوو / أُ)
The oo sound explained
oo has two sounds: long 'oo' as in moon and food, and short 'u' as in book and look.
Vowel teams: Two vowels together make one long sound, such as ee, ai and oa.
Words with oo
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Teach the long sound first with moon and zoo, then the short one with book and look.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce oo in English?
oo has two sounds: long 'oo' as in moon and food, and short 'u' as in book and look. The sound is /uː/ /ʊ/, closest to the Arabic واو مدّ (ـو) أو ضمة قصيرة.
Which words have oo?
Moon (قمر), Food (طعام), Zoo (حديقة حيوان), Book (كتاب), Look (ينظر), Cook (يطبخ).
What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?
In a digraph (like sh and ch) the two letters make one new sound; in a blend (like st and bl) each letter keeps its own sound and they are said quickly one after the other.