16/09/2026
๐ /ส/ vs /ส/ vs /dส/ โ Know the Difference!
These three sounds can look or sound similar, but they are produced differently. Mastering the distinction can make your English pronunciation clearer and more natural. ๐ฏ
1๏ธโฃ /ส/ โ Voiceless โSHโ
๐น Type: Voiceless fricative
๐น Your vocal cords do not vibrate.
๐น Make a soft โshโ sound and let the air flow continuously.
๐ฃ๏ธ Example:
she โ /สiห/
English โ /หษชลษกlษชส/
nation โ /หneษชสษn/
๐ Tip: Put your fingers gently on your throat. You should not feel vibration.
2๏ธโฃ /ส/ โ Voiced โZHโ
๐น Type: Voiced fricative
๐น The air flows continuously, just like /ส/.
๐น The difference? Your vocal cords vibrate. ๐๏ธ
๐ฃ๏ธ Examples:
vision โ /หvษชสษn/
measure โ /หmeสษ/
pleasure โ /หpleสษ/
Asian โ /หeษชสษn/
๐ Tip: Start with /ส/, then turn your voice on.
/ส/ โ /ส/
3๏ธโฃ /dส/ โ Voiced โJโ
๐น Type: Voiced affricate
๐น Unlike /ส/, the airflow starts with a complete stop and then releases into friction.
๐น Think of it as /d/ + /ส/. ๐ฏ
๐ฃ๏ธ Examples:
job โ /dสษb/
judge โ /dสสdส/
major โ /หmeษชdสษ/
aging โ /หeษชdสษชล/
๐ Tip: Touch the tongue to the ridge behind your upper teeth, stop the air briefly, then release.
๐ง Remember the Difference
/ส/ โ โ No voice + continuous air
/ส/ โ โ
Voice + continuous air
/dส/ โ โ
Voice + stop โ friction
๐ Try This Progression
/ส/ โ /ส/ โ /dส/
she โ vision โ job
Listen carefully, repeat slowly, then gradually increase your speed. ๐ง๐ฃ๏ธ
๐ฏ Your Practice Challenge
Record yourself saying:
Asian โข version โข major โข pleasure โข measure โข aging โข vision โข judge
๐๏ธ Listen back. Can you hear the difference?
๐๏ธ Practice Paragraph โ /ส/ โข /ส/ โข /dส/
During my Asian journey, I met a major cultural guide who showed me an agile dancer performing a traditional version of a Persian Trojan legend. On one occasion, we discussed the pleasure of cultural immersion, the role of religion, and the aging of ancient traditions. The guide explained how diverging traditions can create a fascinating version of history. We visited a legion museum, admired an azure painting, and talked about vision, measure, and erosion. Later, an emerging artist demonstrated how elision and diversion can influence spoken language. By the end of the day, I felt the pleasure of learning something new and appreciated the major role that pronunciation plays in clear communication.
Deneeraj Multi-lingual services
๐ Challenge
Read it slowly โ naturally โ faster.
๐๏ธ Record yourself โ listen back โ identify /ส/ and /dส/ โ repeat.
Can you hear the difference between the continuous /ส/ and the stop-and-release /dส/? ๐ฏ
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