/f//v/
facavaca
Learn to hear the difference between f and v in Portuguese words.
CHOOSE A SOUND
Portuguese contrasts.
Start with a difference you find hard to hear. Words stay hidden during practice until you choose to show them.
Browse the examples below, then listen to A and B and match their target sound in a different word, X.
Practice
/s//z/
caçacasa
Learn to hear the difference between s and z in Portuguese words.
/p//b/
patabata
Learn to hear the difference between p and b in Portuguese words.
/e//ɛ/
sedesede
Table-confirmed stimuli from a Brazilian Portuguese perception assessment.
/o//ɔ/
avôavó
Table-confirmed stimuli from a Brazilian Portuguese perception assessment.
/a//ɐ̃/
catacanta
Learn to hear the difference between a and ɐ̃ in Portuguese words.
/ɾ//ʁ/
carocarro
Learn to hear the difference between ɾ and ʁ in Portuguese words.
A CLOSER LISTEN
What is a
minimal pair?
Two words form a minimal pair when one sound difference changes the word. Keeping the surrounding sounds the same gives you a specific difference to listen for.
Some lessons focus on tone or word stress instead of a single consonant or vowel. We label those separately, so you know what each exercise is testing.
In the exercise, listen to A and B, then a different word X. Choose the reference that shares the target sound, tone, stress or consonant feature. Words and IPA stay hidden unless you enable text hints, including after answering; you can replay the audio whenever you need it.
Read about the learning approach