How to tell /p/ and /b/ apart

Practice the difference between the voiceless stop /p/ and the voiced stop /b/.

/p/
Voiceless P

pat /pæt/

A voiceless stop. The lips close, then release with a puff of air and no voice.

Lỗi thường gặp: Learners may voice /p/, making pat sound like bat.

/b/
Voiced B

bat /bæt/

A voiced stop. The lips close, then release with the voice on.

Lỗi thường gặp: Learners may devoice /b/, making bat sound like pat.

  • /p/ is voiceless with a puff of air: pat, pig, cap.
  • /b/ is voiced: bat, big, cab.
  • Hold your hand near your mouth — /p/ has a stronger puff.
  • Touch your throat — /b/ vibrates.

Cặp âm dễ nhầm

pat/pæt/
bat/bæt/
pig/pɪɡ/
big/bɪɡ/
cap/kæp/
cab/kæb/