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vConsonants
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/v/

· ·

Voiced labiodental fricative. Upper teeth on lower lip, push air with voicing.

Example words

van 
move 
very 
love 

How to make the sound

Place the upper teeth lightly on the lower lip and let air pass through while the vocal folds vibrate.

What to feel and listen for

The friction is continuous like /f/, but your throat vibrates and the airflow is less forceful.

Common mistake: Do not stop the air completely; this is a fricative, not a lip closure.

See how it differs

Articulation profile

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