How to Pronounce the /z/ Sound

In this lesson, we'll explore the /z/ sound, examining its production, characteristics, and role in words. Understanding /z/ is key to accurate pronunciation.

In this lesson, we are going to learn about how we can produce the /z/ sound using the articulatory organs properly.

What Type of Sound Is /z/?

/z/ is a consonant sound in the English language.

How to Produce /z/?

Mouth and Vocal Tract Configuration for /z/

As you can see in picture (b), the tongue plays a major part in the production of this sound. In order to produce this sound, the tongue raises a bit upwards and its sides slightly touch the back side of the front teeth. The tip of the tongue is just behind the front teeth. Note that it does not touch the back of the teeth. Also, the uvula is blocking the air passing through the nose. So, the air comes out of the mouth. As it is clear in picture (b), the circle in the throat is red which indicates that we do need to vibrate our vocal cords. So, it is voiced.
In picture (a), the lips and teeth are slightly parted so as to let the air out.
In picture (c ), you can clearly see where exactly the tongue is put. The sides of the tongue must make contact with the roof of the mouth, just behind the front teeth.

Which Letters are Pronounced as /z/?

The sound /z/ is represented by the following letters:

Pie Chart of the Letters that Make the /z/ Sound

zebra /ziː.brə/

zenith /zen.ɪθ/

zealot /zel.ət/

zoo /zu:/

music /ˈmjuːzɪk/

mosaic /moʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/

is /ɪz/

jazz /dʒæz/

sizzle /ˈsɪzəl/

Warning!

Note that we cannot say that every time we see an '-s' after a vowel or a voiced consonant, it is pronounced /z/. Look:

thus /ðʌs/

/z/ Sound in the Most World Languages

As you can see in the table below, /z/ is commonly used in most of the prevalent languages in the world, but it is missing in Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, and Swedish. We have provided enough information for you above. So, if you practice a bit, you can quickly learn to produce it like a native speaker. Look:

Language	Existence	Example
Mandarin	x	-
Spanish	x	-
Hindi	✔	ज़मीन
Bengali	✔	নামাজ
Portuguese	✔	casa
Russian	✔	заезжать
Japanese	✔	全部 (zenbu)
*Vietnamese	✔	da
Turkish	✔	göz
French	✔	zèbre
German	✔	sauber
Italian	✔	sbirro
Persian	✔	روز
Arabic (Standard)	✔	زائِر
Korean	x	-
Indonesian	✔	zaman
•Filipino	✔	zebra
Hungarian	✔	zálog
Dutch	✔	zaad
Polish	✔	zero
Romanian	✔	zar
Swedish	x	-
Czech	✔	zima
Greek	✔	κόσμος
Ukrainian	✔	зуб
Urdu	✔	زمین

* The sound exists in the Northern dialect.
• This sound is regional or less common.

Listening

Below, there is an audio file that helps you learn the proper pronunciation of the /z/ sound:

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What Type of Sound Is /z/?
How to Produce /z/?
Which Letters are Pronounced as /z/?
/z/ Sound in the Most World Languages
Listening

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