MinimalPairs
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Minimal pair · General American

English /ʃ/ vs /s/Shell or sell?

English /ʃ–s/ perception is context-sensitive for Japanese listeners. Broaden beyond three starting words and test adjacent vowels; current lexical frames are editorial rather than study syllables.

Practice these sounds
/ʃ/

A broader, unvoiced hiss

A continuous consonant. Compare the quality of its friction with the other sound.

As inshack
/s/

An unvoiced hiss

Listen for the narrow, hissing sound in the target consonant.

As insack

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

English /ʃ–s/ perception is context-sensitive for Japanese listeners. Broaden beyond three starting words and test adjacent vowels; current lexical frames are editorial rather than study syllables.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
shack
/ʃæk/a roughly built small dwelling
shell
/ʃɛl/a protective outer casing
shock
/ʃɑk/a sudden emotional jolt
ship
/ʃɪp/a large boat
sheep
/ʃip/a woolly animal
sack
/sæk/a large bag
sell
/sɛl/exchange for money
sock
/sɑk/a knitted foot covering
sip
/sɪp/drink a little at a time
sin
/sɪn/a moral wrong

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.

English /ʃ–s/ perception is context-sensitive for Japanese listeners. Broaden beyond three starting words and test adjacent vowels; current lexical frames are editorial rather than study syllables.

Explore all English contrasts
🌐 English