v
Consonant
/v/ — Voiced labiodental fricative
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| voice | /ˈvɔɪs/ | /vɔɪs/ |
| over | /ˈoʊvɚ/ | /əʊ̯və/ |
| very | /ˈvɛɹi/ | /vɛɹi/ |
| love | /ˈlʌv/ | /lʌv/ |
| van | /ˈvæn/ | /væn/ |
| seven | /ˈsɛvən/ | /sɛvn̩/ |
| give | /ˈɡɪv/ | /ɡɪv/ |
| visit | /ˈvɪzɪt/ | /vɪzɪt/ |
| move | /ˈmuv/ | /muːv/ |
| never | /ˈnɛvɚ/ | /nɛvə/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundVoiced labiodental fricative.
TongueKeep the tongue neutral while the constriction happens at the lips/teeth. Form a narrow constriction to generate continuous, controlled friction.
LipsTouch the lower lip lightly to the upper teeth and control airflow there.
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 /v/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- van/ˈvæn/fan/ˈfæn/
- vine/ˈvaɪn/fine/ˈfaɪn/
- leave/ˈliv/leaf/ˈlif/
- view/ˈvju/few/ˈfju/
Spelling patterns
- v as in voice
- ve as in love
Common mistakes for Arabic speakers
- Arabic speakers: Arabic has no /v/, so it is often said as /f/: "very" can sound like "ferry".Source: Swan & Smith (eds.), Learner English, 2nd ed. (Cambridge University Press, 2001), chapter "Arabic speakers"
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