z
Consonant
/z/ — Voiced alveolar fricative
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| zoo | /ˈzu/ | /zuː/ |
| rose | /ˈɹoʊz/ | /ɹəʊz/ |
| jazz | /ˈdʒæz/ | /d͡ʒæz/ |
| zero | /ˈzɪɹoʊ/ | /zɪəɹəʊ/ |
| easy | /ˈizi/ | /ˈiːzi/ |
| music | /ˈmjuzɪk/ | /mjuːzɪk/ |
| is | /ˈɪz/ | /ɪz/ |
| was | /ˈwɑz/ | /wɒz/ |
| lazy | /ˈleɪzi/ | /leɪ̯zi/ |
| busy | /ˈbɪzi/ | /bɪzi/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundVoiced alveolar fricative.
TongueAim the tongue tip/blade at the alveolar ridge (just behind upper front teeth). Form a narrow constriction to generate continuous, controlled friction.
LipsKeep lips neutral unless neighboring sounds require shaping.
JawKeep the jaw slightly open and stable so the channel stays consistent.
VoiceKeep vocal fold vibration on continuously and avoid dropping voicing mid-sound.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /z/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- zip/ˈzɪp/sip/ˈsɪp/
- zoo/ˈzu/sue/ˈsu/
Spelling patterns
- z as in zoo
- zz as in jazz
- s as in easy
- se as in rose
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