English pronunciation: Plosives - /p/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for plosives - /p/.

Quick tip

Plosives are made by blocking airflow and then releasing it suddenly.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• pen

• paper

• people

• apple

• open

Minimal pairs

• pat / bat
• pan / ban
• pit / bit
• pack / back
• pin / bin

How to produce this sound

Place both lips together and build up air pressure. Release the lips suddenly to let the air burst out, making the /p/ sound as in 'pen'.

Common mix-ups

• pen / ben
• pat / bat
• pan / ban
• pack / back
• pit / bit

Closest comparison

pen, paper, people, apple, open