/b/as in “bed”

Consonant

How to pronounce /b/ in English

The /b/ sound is a bilabial, voiced, stop consonant.

Voiced
Stop
Bilabial

Jaw
Press your lips together, adding your voice while they're closed, then push them apart to release the air.
Tongue
The tongue stays relaxed and isn't involved.
Lips
Press your lips together to stop the airflow, then push them apart to release it.

Note: Depending on its position in a word, /b/ is pronounced with a slight puff of air or without one at all.

Example words

bed
cab
table
job
baby

Common mistakes

Voiced endings

The ending came out voiceless, so the word turned into another one. Lengthen the vowel before it and let the voice run on.

How to practise

In English, what tells "bad" from "bat" is mostly the vowel: it is longer before a voiced ending.
Stretch the vowel ("baaad") and keep a little voice as you close.
Put your fingers on your throat: you should feel a buzz at the end of "bad" but not "bat".

Easily confused words

bad · bat
bag · back
cab · cap
prize · price
eyes · ice
save · safe

Practise /b/ with Letty

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