Minimal pair · General American
English /s/ vs /z/Sip or zip?
Listen for the first consonant in each word: /s/ or /z/. The rest of each reference pair stays the same.
Practice these sounds/s/
An unvoiced hiss
Listen for the narrow, hissing sound in the target consonant.
As insip
/z/
A voiced buzz
Compare the voiced buzzing sound with the hiss in the other category.
As inzip
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Listen for the first consonant in each word: /s/ or /z/. The rest of each reference pair stays the same.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordsip
/sɪp/drink a little at a timeseal
/sil/a marine mammalsink
/sɪŋk/go below the surfacesit
/sɪt/be seatedsum
/sʌm/the result of additionzip
/zɪp/fasten a zipperzeal
/zil/strong enthusiasmzinc
/zɪŋk/a metallic elementzone
/zoʊn/areazoo
/zu/place where animals are kept10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.