These two consonants are paired together because they take the same mouth position. Learn the correct mouth position for these sounds to pronounce them clearly and accurately.
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Video Transcript:
In this American English pronunciation video, we’re going to learn how to make the S and Z consonant sounds.
These two sounds are paired together because they take the same mouth position.
S is unvoiced, meaning only air passes through the mouth.
And Z is voiced, meaning, you make a sound with the vocal cords, Zz.
To make the sounds, the lips part and the corners pull back a little while the teeth themselves likely touch.
Sss–, Zzz–
There are two ways to make these sounds.
One, with the tip of the tongue down, lightly touching the back of the bottom front teeth.
Or by pointing the tip of the tongue up.
You may find that the position of the tongue tip depends on the sounds around the S and Z.
Let’s look at these sounds up close and in slow motion.
The teeth lightly touch, tongue tip is down and you can see a lot of tongue through the teeth.
Sit. Again, teeth lightly touch, the tongue tip is pointed down.
Miss. The tongue tip stays down as the teeth come together.
Fizz. This time, you’ll see the tongue tip point up before the teeth close, and up.
The S and Z sounds.
Sip
Miss
Fizz
Example words. Repeat with me:
Note, the letter S can make the Z sound.
Some. Ss– Some.
Must. Ss– Must.
Less. Ss– Less.
Zip. Zz– Zip.
Cousin. Zz– Cousin.
Easy. Zz– Easy.
Hear the difference immediately.
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