Diphthongs & Triphthongs in English

Understanding Diphthongs

A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable. In English, diphthongs are common and can be found in many words.

Here are some examples of diphthongs:

• /aɪ/ as in "my"
• /eɪ/ as in "day"
• /ɔɪ/ as in "boy"
• /aʊ/ as in "now"
• /əʊ/ as in "go"
• /ɪə/ as in "ear"
• /eə/ as in "air"
• /ʊə/ as in "tour"

Understanding Triphthongs

A triphthong is a combination of three vowel sounds within the same syllable. They are less common than diphthongs but still important in English pronunciation.

Here are some examples of triphthongs:

• /aɪə/ as in "fire"
• /aʊə/ as in "hour"
• /eɪə/ as in "player"
• /ɔɪə/ as in "lawyer"

Characteristics of Diphthongs & Triphthongs

• Gliding Sounds: Both diphthongs and triphthongs involve a glide from one vowel sound to another.
• Single Syllable: Despite having multiple vowel sounds, they are pronounced as a single syllable.
• Vowel Quality: The quality of the vowel changes as you move from the first sound to the second or third.

Examples in Words

Let's look at some words containing diphthongs and triphthongs:

• Diphthong: "coin" contains the diphthong /ɔɪ/
• Triphthong: "power" contains the triphthong /aʊə/