Voiced and voiceless
12 phrasesHD
pea bee
JA豆／蜂
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
Both start with the lips shut and burst open in the same spot. For bee the voice is already humming as the lips part; for pea it stays silent until the vowel. Put a finger on your throat — bee buzzes, pea does not.
HD
time dime
JA時間／１０セント硬貨
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
came game
JA来た／試合
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
fine vine
JA見事な／つる
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
cap cab
JA帽子／タクシー
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
back bag
JA背中／かばん
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
leaf leave
JA葉／去る
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
The v of leave is barely louder than the f of leaf — what really tells them apart is the vowel: long before the voiced v, short before the voiceless f. Lengthen the vowel and leave arrives on its own.
HD
seat seed
JA座席／種
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
bus buzz
JAバス／ぶんぶん鳴る
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
price prize
JA値段／賞
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
HD
teeth teethe
JA歯／歯が生える
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
Tongue-tip between the teeth for both; teeth is voiceless, teethe switches the voice on and the tongue vibrates against them. Neither is s or z — you should be able to see the tongue.
HD
cheap jeep
JA安い／ジープ
Eight pairs made in the same place, the same way; the only difference is whether the voice is switched on. At the end of a word the voicing also stretches the vowel before it — leave is longer than leaf — so the ear catches it there even when the final consonant is quiet.
Voiced and voiceless in English: all 12 on one list
| English | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pea bee | /pi bi/ | 豆／蜂 |
| time dime | /taɪm daɪm/ | 時間／１０セント硬貨 |
| came game | /keɪm ɡeɪm/ | 来た／試合 |
| fine vine | /faɪn vaɪn/ | 見事な／つる |
| cap cab | /kæp kæb/ | 帽子／タクシー |
| back bag | /bæk bæɡ/ | 背中／かばん |
| leaf leave | /lif liv/ | 葉／去る |
| seat seed | /sit sid/ | 座席／種 |
| bus buzz | /bʌs bʌz/ | バス／ぶんぶん鳴る |
| price prize | /praɪs praɪz/ | 値段／賞 |
| teeth teethe | /tiθ tið/ | 歯／歯が生える |
| cheap jeep | /tʃip dʒip/ | 安い／ジープ |
Voiced and voiceless in English - 12 phrases you can play on a loop until they stick. Each one shows the characters, the reading and the meaning in six languages.