ɡ
Consonant
/ɡ/ — Voiced velar stop
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| dog | /ˈdɔɡ/ | /dɒɡ/ |
| beg | /ˈbɛɡ/ | /ˈbɛɡ/ |
| game | /ˈɡeɪm/ | /ɡeɪ̯m/ |
| green | /ˈɡɹin/ | /ɡɹiːn/ |
| big | /ˈbɪɡ/ | /bɪɡ/ |
| bag | /ˈbæɡ/ | /bæɡ/ |
| egg | /ˈɛɡ/ | /ɛɡ/ |
| guest | /ˈɡɛst/ | /ɡɛst/ |
| gold | /ˈɡoʊld/ | /ɡəʊld/ |
| glass | /ˈɡlæs/ | /ɡlɑːs/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundVoiced velar stop.
TongueRaise the back of the tongue toward the soft palate (velum). Build full closure at the target place, then release with a controlled burst.
LipsKeep lips neutral unless coarticulation demands otherwise.
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 /ɡ/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- goat/ˈɡoʊt/coat/ˈkoʊt/
- gold/ˈɡoʊld/cold/ˈkoʊld/
- bag/ˈbæɡ/back/ˈbæk/
- gap/ˈɡæp/cap/ˈkæp/
Spelling patterns
- g as in game
- gg as in egg
- gu as in guest
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