Start practicing!
B
The B sound is a voiced bilabial stop consonant. It is made the same way as P, but with the vocal cords vibrating. Press both lips together to stop the airflow, then release them while vibrating your vocal cords.
Press your lips together firmly, build up air pressure behind them, then release the lips while vibrating your vocal cords. The release is gentler than for P.
Articulation video not available
Watch the Sound
Click the video to watch in fullscreen mode
Example Words
/bɔɪ//bɪg//ˈbeɪbi//bʊk//blu//əˈbaʊt//dʒɑb/Pronunciation Practice
Speak the words aloud to get instant feedback on your pronunciation
Quick Practice
3-5 essential words
Full Practice
All 8 words
Minimal Pairs
Listen and compare similar sounds
/bɛn//pɛn//bæt//pæt//bɪn//pɪn/Tongue Twister
Love these free pronunciation tools?
❤️ DonatePractice and related guides
Use the hub pages below to reinforce this sound with drills and deeper explanations.
Sound Hub
Study the English consonant system
Compare voicing, place of articulation, and the trickiest consonant contrasts.
Practice
Practice English consonants
Drill consonant contrast, articulation, and common listening confusions.
Pronunciation
Double Consonants and Short Vowels: The Spelling Pattern That Unlocks English Pronunciation
Discover how double consonant letters signal short vowel sounds in English. Learn why 'dinner' and 'diner' sound completely different, and master this essential rule to pronounce hundreds of words correctly.
Pronunciation
Final Voiced Consonants: Why Spanish Speakers Say 'Dock' Instead of 'Dog'
Spanish speakers often devoice final consonants, turning 'dog' into 'dock' and 'cab' into 'cap'. Learn to maintain voicing at the end of words for clearer English pronunciation.