Vocal anatomy

Learn about the anatomy used to produce IPA sounds.

Back to sounds

Plosive

Stop (Plosive)

Blocked then released (stop)

The airflow is completely stopped for a moment and then suddenly released.

Build up air pressure and let it pop.

Nasal

Air through the nose

Air is blocked in the mouth and flows out entirely through the nose.

Block the air in your mouth and let it out through your nose.

Trill

Rolling / vibrating

The air makes the tongue tip or uvula vibrate rapidly.

Let the air roll or vibrate the part of your mouth.

Tap / flap

Tap / Flap

Quick tap

The tongue makes a single, very quick flick or tap against the roof of the mouth.

Flick your tongue quickly once.

Fricative

Narrow airflow (friction)

Air is forced through a very narrow gap, creating a continuous hissing or buzzing friction.

Squeeze the air out continuously without blocking it.

Affricate

Stop plus friction

The sound starts with a full block and then releases slowly with friction.

Block the air, then squeeze it out slowly.

Approximant

Smooth airflow

The mouth parts get close but leave enough space for smooth, silent airflow.

Bring the parts close, but keep the air smooth.

Lateral

Lateral Approximant

Air down the sides

The tongue blocks the middle of the mouth, so air flows down the sides.

Touch the roof of your mouth and let air pass the sides.

Bilabial

Both lips

The sound is made by bringing both lips together.

Use both lips.

Labiodental

Lower lip & upper teeth

The sound is made with the lower lip touching the upper teeth.

Touch the upper teeth with your lower lip.

Dental

Teeth

The tongue tip touches the back or bottom of the upper front teeth.

Put your tongue against or between your front teeth.

Alveolar

Gum ridge

The tongue tip touches the hard ridge just behind the upper front teeth.

Put your tongue just behind your upper teeth.

Postalveolar

Post-alveolar

Behind gum ridge

The tongue is placed just further back from the gum ridge.

Pull your tongue slightly back from the teeth.

Retroflex

Curled back tongue

The tip of the tongue is curled up and backward toward the hard palate.

Curl the tip of your tongue backward.

Palatal

Hard palate

The middle of the tongue raises toward the hard roof of the mouth.

Raise the middle of your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

Velar

Soft palate

The back of the tongue raises toward the soft part at the back of the mouth.

Raise the back of your tongue.

Uvular

Uvula

The very back of the tongue reaches the uvula (the small fleshy dangling part in the back).

Make the sound far back, near the little dangling part.

Pharyngeal

Throat cavity

The root of the tongue moves backward deep into the throat.

Squeeze the muscles deep inside your throat.

Glottal

Vocal cords

The sound is controlled by the vocal cords far down in the windpipe.

Make the sound deep down in your throat.

Voiceless

Voice off

The vocal cords do not vibrate. Only air is used.

Use only air, do not use your voice.

Voiced

Voice on

The vocal cords vibrate to produce a tone.

Feel a buzz or vibration in your throat.

Aspirated

Extra puff of air

A strong burst of breath accompanies the sound.

Breathe out strongly when making the sound.

Front

Front Vowel

Tongue forward

The highest part of the tongue is pushed forward.

Push the bulk of your tongue forward.

Central

Central Vowel

Tongue in middle

The tongue rests in a central, relaxed position.

Keep your tongue completely relaxed in the middle.

Back

Back Vowel

Tongue pulled back

The highest part of the tongue is pulled backward in the mouth.

Pull the bulk of your tongue backward.

High Vowel (Close)

Mostly closed mouth

The tongue is high, very close to the roof of the mouth.

Keep your jaw almost completely closed.

Mid

Mid Vowel

Half open mouth

The tongue and jaw are in a neutral, middle position.

Open your mouth halfway.

Open

Low Vowel (Open)

Wide open mouth

The tongue is low and the jaw is dropped wide.

Drop your jaw and open wide.

Rounded

Rounded Vowel

Lips rounded

The lips are pushed forward into a circle.

Round your lips gently like kissing.

Unrounded

Unrounded Vowel

Lips relaxed

The lips are spread apart or resting naturally.

Keep your lips relaxed or spread in a slight smile.

Nasalized

Nasalized Vowel

Nasal vowel

Air flows out through both the mouth and the nose at the same time.

Lower your soft palate to let air into your nose.