d
Consonant
/d/ — Voiced alveolar stop
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| day | /ˈdeɪ/ | /deɪ/ |
| dog | /ˈdɔɡ/ | /dɒɡ/ |
| door | /ˈdɔɹ/ | /dɔː/ |
| middle | /ˈmɪdəl/ | /mɪdl̩/ |
| mad | /ˈmæd/ | /mæd/ |
| red | /ˈɹɛd/ | /ɹɛd/ |
| bed | /ˈbɛd/ | /bɛd/ |
| dinner | /ˈdɪnɚ/ | /dɪnə/ |
| under | /ˈʌndɚ/ | /ʌndə/ |
| hand | /ˈhænd/ | /ˈhand/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundVoiced alveolar stop.
TongueAim the tongue tip/blade at the alveolar ridge (just behind upper front teeth). Build full closure at the target place, then release with a controlled burst.
LipsKeep lips neutral unless neighboring sounds require shaping.
JawKeep jaw stable with only enough opening for a crisp release.
VoiceKeep vocal fold vibration on continuously and avoid dropping voicing mid-sound.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /d/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- die/ˈdaɪ/tie/ˈtaɪ/
- den/ˈdɛn/ten/ˈtɛn/
- bad/ˈbæd/bat/ˈbæt/
- dime/ˈdaɪm/time/ˈtaɪm/
Spelling patterns
- d as in day
- dd as in middle
Common mistakes for German speakers
- German speakers: German devoices consonants at the end of a word, so "bed" can sound like "bet".Source: Swan & Smith (eds.), Learner English, 2nd ed. (Cambridge University Press, 2001), chapter "German speakers"
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