t
Consonant
/t/ — Voiceless alveolar stop
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| tea | /ˈti/ | /tiː/ |
| time | /ˈtaɪm/ | /taɪm/ |
| stop | /ˈstɑp/ | /stɒp/ |
| cat | /ˈkæt/ | /kæt/ |
| try | /ˈtɹaɪ/ | /tɹaɪ/ |
| ten | /ˈtɛn/ | /tɛn/ |
| street | /ˈstɹit/ | /stɹiːt/ |
| hat | /ˈhæt/ | /hat/ |
| eight | /ˈeɪt/ | /eɪt/ |
| want | /ˈwɑnt/ | /wɒnt/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundVoiceless 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 folds apart (no voicing) and let airflow drive the segment.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /t/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- tie/ˈtaɪ/die/ˈdaɪ/
- ten/ˈtɛn/den/ˈdɛn/
- bat/ˈbæt/bad/ˈbæd/
- time/ˈtaɪm/dime/ˈdaɪm/
Spelling patterns
- t as in ten
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