Language
English
Unit
Consonants
IPA
/l/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for approximants - /l/.

Quick tip

Approximants are made with a narrow gap, but not enough to cause friction.

Letters and IPA

Letters

l (let)

/l/

Practice words

  • let

  • love

  • long

  • light

  • look

Minimal pairs

  • let / led
  • light / right
  • lip / leap
  • lake / rake
  • low / row

How to produce this sound

Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge just behind your upper front teeth. Let the air flow around the sides of your tongue as you voice the sound.

Common mix-ups

  • let / led
  • light / right
  • lake / late
  • lip / leap
  • low / row

Closest comparison

let, love, long, light, look

Keep exploring

Previous Approximants - /j/ Consonants Next Affricates - /tʃ/ Consonants