Question

Which of the following English words contains the sound closest to the Spanish “U”?
a.
under
b.
use
c.
pool


Please select the best answer from the choices provided

A
B
C

Answer 1

C

The Spanish "u" is the close back rounded vowel [u], like the English vowel in "pool" (as in /puːl/). "Use" begins with a /j/ glide (/juː/), and "under" has /ʌ/, so "pool" is the closest.