m
Consonant
/m/ — Bilabial nasal
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| man | /ˈmæn/ | /mæn/ |
| simple | /ˈsɪmpəl/ | /sɪmpəl/ |
| home | /ˈhoʊm/ | /həʊm/ |
| money | /ˈmʌni/ | /mʌni/ |
| summer | /ˈsʌmɚ/ | /sʌmə/ |
| time | /ˈtaɪm/ | /taɪm/ |
| milk | /ˈmɪlk/ | /mɪlk/ |
| music | /ˈmjuzɪk/ | /mjuːzɪk/ |
| name | /ˈneɪm/ | /neɪm/ |
| come | /ˈkʌm/ | /kʌm/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundBilabial nasal.
TongueKeep the tongue relaxed and out of the closure; the constriction is made with both lips. Hold oral closure while lowering the velum so airflow is routed through the nose.
LipsBring both lips together firmly, then release cleanly.
JawUse a small, stable opening and avoid over-opening.
VoiceKeep steady voicing through the nasal murmur.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /m/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- map/ˈmæp/nap/ˈnæp/
- some/ˈsʌm/sun/ˈsʌn/
- meat/ˈmit/neat/ˈnit/
Spelling patterns
- m as in man
- mm as in summer
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