Improve Your Speaking: /s/ vs. /ʃ/ Vowel Sounds with Minimal Pairs

Mastering English pronunciation means learning to hear and say similar sounds clearly. The minimal pair /s/ vs. /ʃ/ shows the difference between the “s” sound in see and the “sh” sound in she. This article will help you understand, practice, and pronounce these sounds correctly.

How to Distinguish the /s/ vs. /ʃ/ Sounds?

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What Are /s/ and /ʃ/?

/s/

• Place the tongue near the ridge behind your top front teeth.

• Keep lips unrounded.

• Let air hiss out in a narrow stream.

• Your throat stays relaxed.

Refer to this image to visualize how to form your mouth for /s/.

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Let’s listen to a recording of the /s/ sound and hear it used in “sun.”

/ʃ/

• Move the tongue slightly further back and up.

• Round your lips slightly.

• Let air flow out in a softer, longer noise—like “shhh.”

• No vocal cord vibration.

Observe this picture to learn the mouth position for pronouncing /ʃ/.

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Press play to hear the /ʃ/ vowel alone and inside the example word “shop.”

Minimal Pairs /s/ vs. /ʃ/ with Example Sentences

sip / ship:

• I need a sip of water.
• I saw the big ship at the harbor.

see / she:

• Did you see that?
• She was very kind to me.

so / show:

• I am so happy.
• Please show me your drawing.

sue / shoe:

• Sue is my friend.
• I lost my shoe yesterday.

Minimal Pair /s/ and /ʃ/ List