Vowel Minimal Pair
How to Pronounce raw vs row
Key Pronunciation Contrast
‘Raw’ (⁄rɔː⁄) uses the open rounded vowel ⁄ɔː⁄; ‘row’ (⁄roʊ⁄) glides through the diphthong ⁄oʊ⁄.
Contrast: ⁄ɔː⁄ vs ⁄oʊ⁄
“There's nothing but raw fish in the freezer.”
Word 2Full word page➔
row
⁄roʊ⁄
Syllables
ROW
Definition:
A line of objects, often regularly spaced, such as seats in a theatre, vegetable plants in a garden, etc.
“And there were windows in three rows.”
Watch Native Video Clips & Ear Training
40 total video examplesListen separately:
Frequently Asked Questions: raw vs row
What is the difference in pronunciation between "raw" and "row"?
‘Raw’ (⁄rɔː⁄) uses the open rounded vowel ⁄ɔː⁄; ‘row’ (⁄roʊ⁄) glides through the diphthong ⁄oʊ⁄.
Where does the syllable stress fall in "raw" vs "row"?
"raw" has 1 syllable(s) (raw) with stress on "RAW". "row" has 1 syllable(s) (row) with stress on "ROW".
Why do English learners often confuse "raw" and "row"?
Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: ⁄ɔː⁄ vs ⁄oʊ⁄. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.
What are example sentences for "raw" and "row"?
Example for "raw": "There's nothing but raw fish in the freezer." Example for "row": "And there were windows in three rows."