Pronunciation · Minimal pairs · medium functional load
/b/ vs /v/: berry vs very
In short
The full-stop /b/ and the continuous /v/ separate ban/van, best/vest and boat/vote. Spanish speakers in particular tend to blend the two into one soft sound. This contrast carries a MEDIUM functional load, the contrast separates a fair number of word pairs, so it is worth systematic practice once the high-load contrasts are stable.
How to hear (and make) the difference
/b/ fully closes both lips then releases; /v/ never closes; top teeth rest on the bottom lip while air flows continuously. Hold a long 'vvvv'; you cannot hold a /b/.
Most challenging for Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog speakers.
7 minimal pairs with audio
- berryˈberiveryˈveri
- banbænvanvæn
- bestbestvestvest
- boatbəʊtvotevəʊt
- betbetvetvet
- curbkɜːbcurvekɜːv
- marbleˈmɑːbəlmarvelˈmɑːvəl
Test your ear
Listening drill
/b/ vs /v/: berry vs very
/b/ fully closes both lips then releases; /v/ never closes; top teeth rest on the bottom lip while air flows continuously. Hold a long 'vvvv'; you cannot hold a /b/.
The contrast in sentences
They will ban it tomorrow.
They will van it tomorrow.
I liked the boat.
I liked the vote.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between berry and very?
berry /ˈberi/ uses the /b/ sound while very /ˈveri/ uses /v/. /b/ fully closes both lips then releases; /v/ never closes; top teeth rest on the bottom lip while air flows continuously. Hold a long 'vvvv'; you cannot hold a /b/.
Which learners find the /b/ vs /v/ contrast hardest?
It is most challenging for Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog speakers, whose first languages don't separate these two sounds.