"z" as in zoo
/z/as in “zoo”
How to make it
- Make the same shape as for "s".
- Turn your voice on, so the hiss becomes a buzz, like a bee.
Common mistake
Losing the buzz, especially at the end of a word: "rice" for "rise", "bus" for "buzz". Many words spelled with "s" end in this sound: "is", "was", "dogs".
In words
Listen at normal speed or slowly, then say it yourself.
- zoo
- busy
- rose
Don't confuse with
Listen and choose the word you hear.
US and UK
This sound is the same in American and British English.