Pronunciation in English

Y Sounds in English

The /y/ sound in English is made by pushing your tongue up against your lower teeth while positioned somewhere between your molars (your back teeth).  This is a hard one to explain. Just watch the video. 

Note: Some speakers of Spanish and other languages might confuse this with a /j/ sound. 

y – initial

/ y / – initial

  Read from left to right and go down the list:

1.

yack

yam

yacht

yard

2.

yes

yet

year

yearn

3.

yell

yield

you

you’ll

4.

youth

young

your

you’re

5.

yo

yolk

yuck

yum

6.

yummy

yucky

yodel

yokel

7.

yoga

yarrow

yahoo

yawn

8.

yell

yellow

yew

yeah

9.

yonder

youthful

yearning

yearling

10.

yearly

yesterday

yikkity

yak