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sConsonants
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/s/

· ·

Voiceless alveolar fricative. Hissing sound, tongue near alveolar ridge.

Example words

see 
lesson 
city 
bus 

How to make the sound

Bring the tongue close to the alveolar ridge, leave a narrow channel, and direct air through it without voicing.

What to feel and listen for

Listen for a sharp hiss along the center of the tongue; the throat stays quiet.

Common mistake: Keep the sound unvoiced and narrow; a wider channel can sound like /θ/.

See how it differs

Articulation profile

PlosiveFricativeAffricateNasalApproximantLateralBilabialpb··m··Labiodental·fv····Dental·θð····Alveolartdsz·n·lPost-alveolar·ʃʒtʃdʒ·r·Palatal····j·Velarkɡ··ŋw·Glottal·h····