Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a yo-yo. Next to it was a yellow and a yarn. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a yoghurt and a unicorn. What a great day!
Y
Y sound /j/
A smiley glide as in 'yes'. Only begins syllables in English.
American English pronunciation model · voiced · tongue body (palatal) · glide · spellings: y, u (unicorn)
Word library being expanded
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/j/ · Front glide sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice on · feel the buzz · Airflow
Raise the front of your tongue towards the hard palate, then glide.
The tongue front approaches the hard palate without a complete closure.
Movement 1/3: Tongue front lifts
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How to Make the Sound
/j/
Voice switched ON
Put your hand on your throat — you should feel a buzz.
Remember it: Smiley sound — start from "ee".
- Tongue
- The middle of the tongue lifts towards the roof of the mouth, then glides down. The tip stays behind the bottom teeth.
- Lips and jaw
- Lips spread in a slight smile.
- Air
- Smooth voice, no friction.
Step by step
- Smile and say a long "ee".
- Glide straight into the next vowel.
- "ee-es" becomes "yes".
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /l/ or is left out ("es" for "yes"). Start from "ee" and glide quickly into the vowel.
Step up gradually
- 1. Sound on its own
- 2. Syllables
- 3. Words
- 4. Phrases
- 5. Sentences
- 6. Everyday talk
A sound can be easier on its own than in connected speech. Move on only when your child is saying it accurately and feels ready — not just because a worksheet is finished. Read the Parent Guide
1. Sound in isolation
/j/
Big smile, tongue slides: y-y-yes.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
ya
yee
yo
yoo
yi
aya
eeya
oya
Initial position
yo-yo
/j/ · initial
“my yo-yo”
yellow
/j/ · initial
“my yellow”
yarn
/j/ · initial
“my yarn”
yoghurt
/j/ · initial
“my yoghurt”
unicorn
/j/ · initial
“my unicorn”
Medial position
onion
/j/ · medial
“my onion”
crayon
/j/ · medial
“my crayon”
kayak
/j/ · medial
“my kayak”
Short phrases
- my yo-yo
- my yellow
- my yarn
- my yoghurt
- my unicorn
- my onion
- my crayon
- my kayak
Sentences
- I can see the yo-yo.
- I can see the yellow.
- I can see the yarn.
- I can see the yoghurt.
- I can see the unicorn.
- I can see the onion.
- I can see the crayon.
- I can see the kayak.