5. The Final oe

Cantonese SoundIPASimilar English Sound
Final oe[œː]There is no similar English sound for the final oe.
If you speak French, the final oe is similar to œu as in œuf.

The final oe is formed by the vowel oe alone. Note that the vowel oe is not formed by combining the vowel o and the vowel e. It is a sound different from both of them. Also, don’t confuse the vowel oe with the vowel eo.

Step 1  Listen to the final oe.

oe

Step 2  Listen and repeat. Pay attention to your mouth shape. Use a mirror to check it if needed.

oe

Tongue Position: Open your mouth a little by lowering your lower jaw a little. Raise the front of your tongue toward your hard palate a little.
Lip Shape: Round your lips a little. Your lips will move forward a little.

Hard palate: The part of your upper jaw just behind your alveolar ridge

💡 Tips

If you find it difficult to produce the final oe, try the following trick. First, say the final e. Then, while keeping your tongue at the same position, round your lips a little and you will get the final oe.

Listen.

e → oe

Practice  Practice saying the syllables with the final oe. Listen and repeat.

  1. h ‒ oe ‒ hoe1
  2. d ‒ oe ‒ doe2
  3. g ‒ oe ‒ goe3
  4. t ‒ oe ‒ toe5