Back to all sounds
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
b
Voicing
Voiced
Place of Articulation
Bilabial
Manner of Articulation
Plosive
Mouth 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

Articulation video not available

Watch the Sound

Click the video to watch in fullscreen mode

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