The Aussie T-Flap

The Aussie T-Flap: Why “Water” Sounds Like “Waw-Duh”

Have you ever noticed how Aussies say “water” like “waw-duh”, not “waw-tuh”?

That soft D sound you're hearing is called the T-Flap, and it's one of the most important (and confusing) features of natural-sounding Australian English pronunciation.

In this video lesson, I break down:

  • What the T-flap is (and how it works in your mouth)

  • Why we use it in Aussie speech (hint: it's not just laziness)

  • When it occurs (between vowel sounds + syllabic L’s)

  • How to practise it, with sentence drills and listening tips

This sound also shows up between words — not just inside them. That’s called linking, and when combined with the T-flap, it’s a game changer for sounding fluent.

Watch the full lesson HERE and download the FREE T-Flap PDF Cheat Sheet:

Want to go even deeper with your natural Aussie pronunciation?

Check out my lesson on the Schwa Sound — it’s often paired with the T-Flap and plays a HUGE role in sounding more relaxed and fluent.

For bite-sized Aussie insights, follow me on Instagram: @aussie.english.with.amanda

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How to pronounce the TS cluster in Australian english

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Days Of The Week In AUSSIE ENGLISH