Minimal Pair /b/ and /p/

The learner will be able to learn minimal pair B/ P.

The main difference between /b/ and /p/ is that /b/ is a voiced sound, whereas /p/ is just produced by the puff of air. Also, /b/ is pronounced with less air released than /p/, and this can sometimes be a more useful distinction as it is difficult to feel the vocal cords vibrating when making the /b/ sound.

B P bar Pa be P big pig buy pie by pie bye pie

bay pay bear pair bet pet bill pill bin pin bore poor bought port cub cup

band panned base pace bat pat bear pear beer pier belt pelt berry perry bit pit blade played bland planned blank plank blaze plays bored pawed braise prays bride pride bull pull but putt butter putter lib lip pub pup robe rope tab tap

banned panned bare pare beak peak beat peat bee pee bitch pitch bleed plead blot plot board pawed bore pour braise praise breast pressed burr per cab cap rib rip

bah par batty patty bead peed beak peek beep peep beet peat bi pi bier peer blade plaid blaster plaster bleat pleat bloom plume blunder plunder blush plush boar paw boar pour boo poo braise preys brat prat brawn prawn breech preach brick prick brig prig brim prim burr purr butt putt tribe tripe

The main difference between /b/ and /p/ is that /b/ is a voiced sound, whereas /p/ is just produced by the puff of air. Also, /b/ is pronounced with less air released than /p/, and this can sometimes be a more useful distinction as it is difficult to feel the vocal cords vibrating when making the /b/ sound.