Minimal pair · General American
English /f/ vs /v/Fan or van?
Compare the first consonant in fan and van, then match the first sound of a different word.
Practice these sounds/f/
Unvoiced lip-and-teeth friction
Air passes between the lower lip and upper teeth. Listen to the first sound.
As infan
/v/
Voiced lip-and-teeth friction
A continuous, voiced consonant. Compare it with the other beginning in the pair.
As invan
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Compare the first consonant in fan and van, then match the first sound of a different word.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordfan
/fæn/a device that moves airfat
/fæt/a substance used in cookingfail
/feɪl/not succeedfit
/fɪt/the right sizefee
/fi/a payment for a servicevan
/væn/an enclosed road vehiclevat
/væt/a large vessel for liquidsveil
/veɪl/a covering of thin fabricvine
/vaɪn/a plant with a climbing stemvest
/vɛst/a sleeveless upper-body garment10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.