The phonology of the 'Are'are language:
| Bilabial | Alveolar | Velar | Labiovelar | Glottal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plosive | p b | t d | k ɡ | ʔ | |
| Nasal | m | n | ŋ | ||
| Tap | ɾ | ||||
| Fricative | ɸ β | s z | x ɣ | h | |
| Approximant | ɹ | ɰ | w |
Plosive[]
The plosives of this language are "p, t, k, ʔ", which are all voiceless and unaspirated which means that small differences drastically affect the meaning of a word.
Examples: paɾa- "be white", "fishook"
taɾa- "road"
kaɾa piakau- "cassava pudding"
Nasals[]
the examples below represent the contrast between the two nasals which are "m, n"
Ex: maɾa- "be ashamed"
naɾa- "cry"
Tap[]
The tap "ɾ" is usually combined in minimal pairs along with other alveolar sounds
Examples:
"ɾ, s"
maɾika- "fish"
masika- "to be small"
"ɾ, t"
ɾaɾo- sky
ɾato- sun
Fricatives[]
The examples below are minimal pairs that show how the voiceless fricatives "s, h"
Ex:
ɾasu- "smoke"
ɾahu- "to be old"
Approximate[]
The the tap "ɾ", the nasal "m" are usually combined with the approximate "w"
Examples:
"w, ɾ"
ɾaɾaha- "thigh"
wawaha- "cloud, mist"
"w, m"
waʔi- "hurt"
maʔimaʔi- "basket"
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i | u | |
| Mid | e | o | |
| Low | æ | a | ɒ |