MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · General American

English /f/ vs /h/Fat or hat?

Adds a missing contrast motivated by Japanese fricative perception research. Difficulty is context-dependent; this initial-word pool samples ordinary lexical frames.

Practice these sounds
/f/

Unvoiced lip-and-teeth friction

Air passes between the lower lip and upper teeth. Listen to the first sound.

As infat
/h/

The h category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As inhat

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Adds a missing contrast motivated by Japanese fricative perception research. Difficulty is context-dependent; this initial-word pool samples ordinary lexical frames.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
fat
/fæt/body tissue that stores energy
fate
/feɪt/an eventual outcome
fee
/fi/a payment for a service
fit
/fɪt/the right size
foam
/foʊm/a mass of small bubbles
hat
/hæt/a head covering
hate
/heɪt/dislike intensely
he
/hi/a pronoun for a male person
hit
/hɪt/strike
home
/hoʊm/the place where one lives

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

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.

Practice these sounds

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Adds a missing contrast motivated by Japanese fricative perception research. Difficulty is context-dependent; this initial-word pool samples ordinary lexical frames.

Explore all English contrasts
🌐 English