Language
English
Unit
Consonants
IPA
/z/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

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

Quick tip

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

Letters and IPA

Letters

z (zoo)

/z/

Practice words

  • zoo

  • zero

  • zone

  • zip

  • buzz

Minimal pairs

  • zip / sip
  • zone / tone
  • zoo / Sue
  • maze / mace
  • buzz / bus

How to produce this sound

Place the tip of your tongue close to the ridge behind your upper front teeth. Let your vocal cords vibrate as you push air out, like the sound in 'zoo'.

Common mix-ups

  • zip / sip
  • zone / tone
  • zoo / Sue
  • maze / mace
  • buzz / bus

Closest comparison

zoo, zero, zone, zip, buzz

Keep exploring

Previous Fricatives - /s/ Consonants Next Fricatives - /ʃ/ Consonants