PHONETICS NOTES
IPA — International Phonetic Alphabet
● Level B1–B2 ● Intermediate ●
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a system of symbols that represents the sounds of
spoken language. In English, spelling and pronunciation often differ, so learning IPA helps you read and
produce any English word correctly. English has 44 phonemes: 24 consonants and 20 vowels (12 pure
vowels + 8 diphthongs).
■■ Consonant Sounds — 24 phonemes
Consonants are sounds produced with some obstruction of airflow. They are classified by voicing (voiced
vs voiceless), place of articulation (where in the mouth), and manner of articulation (how the sound is
made).
Voiced / Voiceless Pairs
Voiceless IPA Example Voiced IPA Example
p /p/ pen, cap b /b/ bed, cab
t /t/ ten, cat d /d/ dog, bad
k /k/ cat, back g /g/ get, bag
f /f/ fish, off v /v/ van, love
s /s/ sun, bus z /z/ zoo, jazz
th /θ/ think, both th /ð/ this, breathe
sh /■/ shop, fish zh /■/ measure, vision
ch /t■/ chair, watch j /d■/ judge, age
Other Consonants (always voiced)
/m/ /n/ /ng/ /l/ /r/ /w/ /j/ /h/
map net ring leg red win yes hat
■ Tip: Voiced = vocal cords vibrate. Put your hand on your throat: /s/ is voiceless (no vibration), /z/ is voiced
(vibration). Minimal pairs help practice: "sin/zen", "fan/van", "think/this".
IPA — International Phonetic Alphabet
● Level B1–B2 ● Intermediate ●
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a system of symbols that represents the sounds of
spoken language. In English, spelling and pronunciation often differ, so learning IPA helps you read and
produce any English word correctly. English has 44 phonemes: 24 consonants and 20 vowels (12 pure
vowels + 8 diphthongs).
■■ Consonant Sounds — 24 phonemes
Consonants are sounds produced with some obstruction of airflow. They are classified by voicing (voiced
vs voiceless), place of articulation (where in the mouth), and manner of articulation (how the sound is
made).
Voiced / Voiceless Pairs
Voiceless IPA Example Voiced IPA Example
p /p/ pen, cap b /b/ bed, cab
t /t/ ten, cat d /d/ dog, bad
k /k/ cat, back g /g/ get, bag
f /f/ fish, off v /v/ van, love
s /s/ sun, bus z /z/ zoo, jazz
th /θ/ think, both th /ð/ this, breathe
sh /■/ shop, fish zh /■/ measure, vision
ch /t■/ chair, watch j /d■/ judge, age
Other Consonants (always voiced)
/m/ /n/ /ng/ /l/ /r/ /w/ /j/ /h/
map net ring leg red win yes hat
■ Tip: Voiced = vocal cords vibrate. Put your hand on your throat: /s/ is voiceless (no vibration), /z/ is voiced
(vibration). Minimal pairs help practice: "sin/zen", "fan/van", "think/this".
