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Consonant
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.
Phonetic
bVoicing
VoicedPlace of Articulation
BilabialManner of Articulation
PlosiveMouth Position
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.
How to Make This Sound
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Example Words
boyMain Example
/bɔɪ/
big
/bɪg/
baby
/ˈbeɪbi/
book
/bʊk/
blue
/blu/
about
/əˈbaʊt/
job
/dʒɑb/
Pronunciation Practice
8 words
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
b
ben
/bɛn/
Compare with
B
pen
/pɛn/
b
bat
/bæt/
Compare with
B
pat
/pæt/
b
bin
/bɪn/
Compare with
B
pin
/pɪn/
Tongue Twister
Practice: Consonant
“Big black bugs bleed blue-black blood.”
Practice this tongue twister to improve your pronunciation