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How to Pronounce the American R Sound

Mastering the American English R Sound



Hi everyone! Today, we’re focusing on the American English R sound and how it differs from other languages’ R sounds.

Common Mispronunciations of the R Sound

Many non-native speakers pronounce the English R incorrectly, often influenced by their first language.

  • One common mistake is trilling the R — a rapid vibration of the tongue — which occurs in languages like Spanish, Italian, Russian, Polish, and Hindi. For example, in Spanish, the rolled R in perro (dog) is a trill sound.

  • Speakers of some Asian languages, such as Japanese and Korean, often produce a tapped R, where the tongue briefly taps the alveolar ridge (just behind the upper front teeth). This is a quick, light contact sound.

The Unique American English R

American English R is quite different. It is neither trilled nor tapped. Instead, the tip of your tongue does not touch the roof of your mouth or the teeth ridge at all.

Try saying these sentences:

  • “Rats race on rainbows.”

  • “Red roses are rare.”

Notice that the R sound flows smoothly without tapping or vibration.

Why is the American R Called a "Liquid"?

Linguists call the R a “liquid” because the airflow moves smoothly around the tongue like water flowing around a rock. Your tongue acts as that rock, shaping the air without blocking it.

Two Common Ways to Produce the American R

  1. Retroflex R:
    Curl the tip of your tongue up and back toward—but not touching—the roof of your mouth. The tongue tip points downward while the body of the tongue bunches and lifts up, making a soft "backflip" shape.

  2. Bunched or Retracted R:
    Pull the back of your tongue up and back to make a “mountain” shape. The sides of your tongue press against your upper teeth, and the tip stays low or slightly raised but doesn’t touch anything.

Both ways produce the same smooth, classic American R sound.

Tips for Perfecting Your R Sound

Push your tongue as far back as possible in your mouth for a strong, clear R. Some British speakers say the American R sounds like you’re trying to swallow your tongue—that’s because of this deep, bunched tongue position!