Minimal pair · General American
English /p/ vs /b/Pea or bee?
Listen to the beginning of the word, including how the stop releases into the vowel. Pea and bee share the vowel but begin differently.
Practice these sounds/p/
An unvoiced lip closure
The lips close briefly and release. Listen to the opening consonant in the reference variety used here.
As inpea
/b/
A voiced lip closure
A brief stop made with the lips. Its natural realization depends on the language and sound context.
As inbee
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Listen to the beginning of the word, including how the stop releases into the vowel. Pea and bee share the vowel but begin differently.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordpea
/pi/a small edible seedpeg
/pɛɡ/a short pin used for fasteningpeach
/pitʃ/a fruit with fuzzy skinput
/pʊt/place somethingpull
/pʊl/draw something toward youbee
/bi/a pollen-gathering insectbeg
/bɛɡ/ask earnestlybeach
/bitʃ/a sandy or pebbly shorebook
/bʊk/a written work with pagesbit
/bɪt/a small piece10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.