Introduction to Stops > How to pronounce /b/ > Common /b/ spellings > Practice pronouncing /b/

How to pronounce the 'b sound' /b/

The 'b sound' /b/ is voiced (the vocal cords vibrate while producing it), and is the counterpart to the unvoiced 'p sound' /p/.

To create the /b/, air is briefly prevented from leaving the vocal tract by closing the lips. The sound is aspirated when the air is released. The aspiration for a /b/ is less than the aspiration for a /p/.