Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a zoo. Next to it was a zebra and a zip. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a zero and a zigzag. What a great day!
Z
Z sound /z/
A buzzy bee sound — the voiced partner of S. Often spelt with S, as in 'nose' and 'toys'.
American English pronunciation model · voiced · tongue tip (alveolar) · fricative · spellings: z, zz, s (nose), es
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/z/ · Buzzy hissing sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice on · feel the buzz · Airflow
Keep your tongue inside; add a buzz to the narrow air stream.
A narrow central channel near the alveolar ridge, with vocal-fold vibration.
Movement 1/3: Tongue stays inside
The camera view stays on this device. Nothing is recorded, saved or uploaded.
How to Make the Sound
/z/
Voice switched ON
Put your hand on your throat — you should feel a buzz.
Remember it: Buzzy bee sound.
- Tongue
- Exactly like /s/: tongue behind the front teeth, with a channel down the middle.
- Lips and jaw
- Teeth close together, slight smile.
- Air
- A thin, steady stream of air with the voice buzzing.
Step by step
- Make a long /s/.
- Turn your voice on in the middle.
- Buzz like a bee — zzz.
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /s/. Feel the throat buzz; go from "sss" to "zzz" without stopping.
- Tongue between teeth or slushy sound. As for /s/ — a slushy sound needs advice from your therapist.
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
/z/
Same as S, but turn your voice on — buzz like a bee: zzz.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
za
zee
zo
zoo
zi
aza
eeza
oza
az
eez
oz
Initial position
zoo
/z/ · initial
“at the zoo”
zebra
/z/ · initial
“a striped zebra”
zip
/z/ · initial
“my zip”
zero
/z/ · initial
“my zero”
zigzag
/z/ · initial
“a zigzag line”
zucchini
/z/ · initial
“my zucchini”
zap
/z/ · initial
“my zap”
Medial position
lizard
/z/ · medial
“a green lizard”
puzzle
/z/ · medial
“do a puzzle”
music
/z/ · medial
“play music”
busy bee
/z/ · medial
“a busy bee”
raisin
/z/ · medial
“my raisin”
daisy
/z/ · medial
“my daisy”
wizard
/z/ · medial
“my wizard”
present
/z/ · medial
“a birthday present”
blizzard
/z/ · medial
“my blizzard”
scissors
/z/ · medial
“my scissors”
Final position
nose
/z/ · final
“touch your nose”
eyes
/z/ · final
“close your eyes”
bees
/z/ · final
“my bees”
cheese
/z/ · final
“yummy cheese”
toys
/z/ · final
“my toys”
shoes
/z/ · final
“new shoes”
trees
/z/ · final
“tall trees”
rose
/z/ · final
“my rose”
buzz
/z/ · final
“my buzz”
fries
/z/ · final
“my fries”
keys
/z/ · final
“my keys”
prize
/z/ · final
“my prize”
peas
/z/ · final
“my peas”
maze
/z/ · final
“my maze”
Short phrases
- at the zoo
- a striped zebra
- my zip
- my zero
- a zigzag line
- my zucchini
- my zap
- a green lizard
- do a puzzle
- play music
- a busy bee
- my raisin
Sentences
- We went to the zoo.
- I can see the zebra.
- I can see the zip.
- I can see the zero.
- I can see the zigzag.
- I can see the zucchini.
- I can see the zap.
- I can see the lizard.
- I can see the puzzle.
- I can see the music.