Phonetics /S,Z/

Consonants Phonetics

S and Z Sounds

s:(sit, box, cats)

z:(zip, buzz, boys)

How to pronounce the S and Z sounds

The voiceless (unvoiced) S sound (IPA symbol: s) can be found in English words such as said, sad, sit, box, bus, cats, face, and circle. 

The voiced Z sound (IPA symbol: z) can be found in English words such aszip, exist, buzz, boys, his, was, and is. 

The S sound is a hissing sound like a snake.

The Z sound is like the sound of buzzing bees.

Let's practice

Practice the voiceless S sound

Practice the voiceless S sound by saying these words:

• say
• sad
• so
  
• sits
• sound
• sister
• its
• cats
• cross
• miss
• boss
• this
• lips
• misty
• face
• practice
• bounce
• mouse
• house
• mice
• box
• fox
• science
• city
• circle
• fence
• scare (s + k sound)
• score (s + k sound)
• Saturday
• Sunday

Now practice the voiced Z soundNow, let's practice the voiced Z sound. Remember, your vocal cords should vibrate when you make this sound because it is a voiced sound.

• zip
• zoo
• zap
• zebra
• quiz
• buzz
• freeze
• dozen
• is
• was
• his
• hers
• nose
• noise
• noises
• rose
• roses
• bags
• frogs
• boys
• girls
• friends
• lies
• busy
• noisy
• nosy
• exist
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
  
  

Finally, practice the sounds side-by-sideRemember to voice the Z sound and use only air for the S sound!

Z	S
is	its
exist	fox
zag	sag
boys	cats
Tuesday	Sunday

Challenge words!These are more challenging words. Some of these words even have both sounds! Practice them slowly.The S sounds are in blue. The Z sounds are in green.

• sizes
• sounds
• science
• business
• freezers
• zippers
• scientists
• noisiest
• because
• anxiety
• quizzes
• descend
• oxygen
• license

Now say these sentences out loud.
 The S sounds are in blue. The Z sounds are in green:

1)    Is Sally his sister?

2)    Sam was my son.

3)    The seven dogs and cats stay inside the house.

4)    He was so sad last Sunday.

5)    The sun is so high in the sky.

6)    Six boys and girls sat on the fence outside the store.

7)    The science quiz was easy.

8)    Please sit beside your friends.

9)    Is this house hers?

10)    CHALLENGE: 

        The seven students took the first test for their driver's licenses on the last Thursday in December.