Voiced and Unvoiced Sounds

One of the most important distinctions in phonetics is between voiced and unvoiced sounds. This difference has to do with what happens at the vocal folds (also called vocal cords), which are located in the larynx. 

Voiced sounds are produced when the vocal folds vibrate as air passes through them. This vibration gives the sound a “buzzing” or “ringing” quality.

All vowels in English are also voiced by default.

Voiced Consonants:

/b/ (as in bat)

/d/ (as in dog)

/g/ (as in go)

/v/ (as in van)

/z/ (as in zoo)

/ʒ/ (as in measure)

/dʒ/ (as in judge)

/m/, /n/, /ŋ/ (nasals)

/l/, /r/, /j/, /w/ (approximants)

Unvoiced (Voiceless) Sounds

Unvoiced sounds are made when the vocal folds do not vibrate. Instead, the sound is produced only by the movement of air and the shape of the articulators.

/p/ (as in pen)

/t/ (as in top)

/k/ (as in cat)

/f/ (as in fun)

/θ/ (as in think)

/s/ (as in snake)

/ʃ/ (as in she)

/tʃ/ (as in church)

/h/ (as in hat)