MinimalPairs
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Minimal pair · Standard Southern British

British English /ð/ vs /d/TH /ð/ and D /d/

Contrast a voiced dental fricative with an alveolar stop in clear citation forms. A Southern British reference bank, not a description of every UK accent. These are editorial word pools supported by pronunciation references, not recovered experimental stimulus lists.

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/ð/

The ð category

Contrast a voiced dental fricative with an alveolar stop in clear citation forms. A Southern British reference bank, not a description of every UK accent. These are editorial word pools supported by pronunciation references, not recovered experimental stimulus lists.

As inthey
/d/

A voiced tongue closure

Compare this opening consonant with /t/ while keeping the rest of the word out of the decision.

As inday

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Contrast a voiced dental fricative with an alveolar stop in clear citation forms. A Southern British reference bank, not a description of every UK accent. These are editorial word pools supported by pronunciation references, not recovered experimental stimulus lists.

Sound examples

Cached recordings are being prepared
No recording
they
/ðeɪ/people or things mentioned
No recording
then
/ðɛn/at that time
No recording
though
/ðəʊ/although
No recording
day
/deɪ/twenty-four hours
No recording
den
/dɛn/animal shelter
No recording
dough
/dəʊ/unbaked bread mixture

6 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.

This guide is free to read. Recordings for these examples are not available yet.

Now, let your ears decide.

Can you hear the difference? Listen to two examples, then decide which sound you hear in a new word. Get feedback after every answer.

Explore listening lessons

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Contrast a voiced dental fricative with an alveolar stop in clear citation forms. A Southern British reference bank, not a description of every UK accent. These are editorial word pools supported by pronunciation references, not recovered experimental stimulus lists.

Explore all British English contrasts
🌐 English