Sound contrast · Contemporary Standard Russian
Russian /b/ vs /p/Initial b and p
Learn to hear the difference between b and p in Russian words.
Practice these sounds/b/
A voiced lip closure
A brief stop made with the lips. Its natural realization depends on the language and sound context.
As inбак
/p/
An unvoiced lip closure
The lips close briefly and release. Listen to the opening consonant in the reference variety used here.
As inпар
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Learn to hear the difference between b and p in Russian words.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordбак
/bak/tank; containerбок
/bok/side; flankбык
/bɨk/bullбыл
/bɨl/was, masculine pastбал
/bal/formal dance; ballпар
/par/steamпот
/pot/sweatпух
/pux/down; fine soft feathersпуть
/putʲ/path; wayпыль
/pɨlʲ/dust10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.