Speaking English: How to say P, F, B, V

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to the pronunciation lesson with Ronnie. That took me a bit, but I've gotten it now. Today, I'm going to teach you the differences between one, two, three, four letters in English that are very difficult. But after you hear and see this lesson, it's going to be a lot easier for you. Again, with most letter sounds in English, the reason why it's so difficult is because in your language, maybe you do not have this sound at all. Or the sounds in your languages are very, very similar. So instead of saying a P, it's a mix between a P and an F.

So let's go through one thing that's very, very important when you're learning any word that you're going to say, and it is what I've written in blue here: unvoiced and voiced. Do you know what the difference is between "unvoiced" and "voiced"? I will teach you. What you've to do is you have to put your hand on your throat. Not too hard. Don't kill yourselves. And you're going to make this sound. Just the letter. You're going to "puh, puh, puh." Now, when you make the "puh" sound, you've to be careful of two things. The first one is your mouth. What is your mouth doing? Okay? When you make the P sound, your lips have to go together and blow out like you're smoking. So it's "puh, puh". Okay? I like to call this "kiss mouth". So when you make a kiss mouth, it's like you're going to kiss someone. You go, "puh". Or you can call it a "smoking mouth". It doesn't matter. When you are saying the P sound, you're going to make your kiss mouth, "puh"; you're going to put your hand on your throat; and you're going to realize that your throat or your vocal cords do not vibrate. So try. "Puh, puh". You should not feel any vibration in your throat. This non-vibration is called "unvoiced". So if something is "unvoiced", it means it does not vibrate in your throat. So "unvoiced" means no vibration. Okay? So the P sound is a kiss with no vibration.

Let's look at an example of a "voiced" letter. We're going to make the same mouth style, and we're going to blow a kiss or a smoke. But the difference between the P "puh" and the B, is that when we make the B sound, you have to vibrate your throat or your vocal cords. So you have to go "buh, buh, buh". Your lips are making the same movement, but the vocal cords are going to vibrate. So try this. "Buh, buh, buh." Then, if you do it without voicing it, it's "puh, puh, puh". So your lips are making the same movement, but your vocal cords vibrate and do not vibrate. So if it's voiced, it means that your vocal cords vibrate.

The next letter that a lot of people have problems with is the F. Now, when I make the F sound -- "fff, fff" -- I need to do something very important. I need to take my teeth and stick them out over my bottom lip. I like to call these "beaver teeth". Have you ever seen a beaver? Do beavers have teeth? Sometimes, the animal beaver has teeth. And beavers have very predominant -- very big front teeth because they chew trees. So when I say "beaver teeth", I mean you stick your teeth out like a beaver. Okay? So this sound is very different from the P and the B sound because first of all, your mouth is making a different position. So when you make the F sound, your teeth are out, and it is unvoiced. So again, you're going to put your hand on your throat and go "fff". The air is going to come out at the bottom of your teeth between your bottom lip and your top teeth. So it's "fff". It feels like you're pushing the air down. "Fff." With the P and the B, you're pushing the air out like you're smoking. With the F, the air is going down. So try. "Fff, fff, fff."

When we say the V sound or the "vuh", again, we're going to have beaver teeth. So you're going to stick your teeth out, except this time, it is voiced. So like the F sound, same mouth position, but you must vibrate your vocal cords. So it's "vuh, vuh, vuh." This is rather difficult, so I suggest you practice. "Vuh, vuh, vuh." It might take a little bit of time and a little bit of practice for you to get it. But the important thing for you to understand is that F does not vibrate, and "vuh" vibrates.

So a lot of people maybe have problems with the B and the F, okay? So you've to look at this. The B is a kiss mouth, "buh, buh". And the F is a beaver mouth, and it's "fff, fff".

[abohamad]

You are excellent in explaining the lesson, So in my opinion you are the best teacher on YouTube.

[SpeakEnglishWithVanessa]

Great video! I share this with my Korean students all the time. They always feel so proud when they get your humor. :D

[AbhishekRai-qofj]

You explain every topic of English in a different and funny manner that's why I love watching your videos but I appreciate and salute your hard work may God give you every happiness of life!

[olipiyans]

Love you .... really your way of teaching is more entertaining.

[haroldcalderon]

This teacher is amazing, the way as she explain is....  really really good

[dennerdrummond]

I loved this lesson.You explain us always very well.
You are a great teacher.
Thank you!!!

[Aussie]

Ronnie is out of this world.
Love your teaching method so much

[ricardohernando]

Ronnie, best teacher ever!I'd very much appreciate if you could upload some proficiency level videos, as I am currently at this level.Thank you so much, and keep it up!

[aalhmdani]

The best english teacher from world thank you

[marleneoliveira]

Thank you so much Ronnie !
You are the best teacher .I'm learning a lot !

[minaab]

You are a wonderful teacher.i'm so glad that i find your website and i love your teaching.

[angelamamyan]

Ronnie, you are Great! I enjoy your lessons. Thanks a lot!

[terelearns]

You are a very good teacher and thanks for teaching me English. 

[klaudyamaryann]

I'M LOVING YOUR LESSONS, U R WONDER!

[al_indi]

I recently found your YouTube channel. It's the best! Thank you!

[olegsribnyy]

learn english "language" of anatomy, very useful. thanks Ronnie

[leosanfra]

Another great lesson. Thank you again, Ronnie.

[peacockinapoisongrove]

Absolutely mind blown. My Thai children are going to absolutely LOVE and benefit from this.

[gnedelcu]

Peace!
Thank you so much
for your work with us.
Bucuresti, RO, EU

[diycreativeideahrs]

I’ve found your lessons are really useful and easy to understand. Thanks for your hard work and wonderful efforts.