Language
English
Unit
Consonants
IPA
/s/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for fricatives - /s/.

Quick tip

Fricatives are made by forcing air through a narrow gap, creating friction.

Letters and IPA

Letters

s (see)

/s/

Practice words

  • see

  • sun

  • sit

  • bus

  • glass

Minimal pairs

  • see / she
  • sip / ship
  • bus / buzz
  • mass / mash
  • sick / thick

How to produce this sound

Place the tip of your tongue close to the ridge behind your upper front teeth. Let air flow out through the small gap, making a hissing sound like a snake: sss.

Common mix-ups

  • see / she
  • sip / ship
  • bus / buzz
  • mass / mash
  • sick / thick

Closest comparison

see, sun, sit, bus, glass

Keep exploring

Previous Fricatives - /ð/ Consonants Next Fricatives - /z/ Consonants