Managing the ‘V’ and ‘W’ Sounds

Speaking English is about being clear, not perfect. It’s okay if you don’t sound like a native speaker. What matters most is that others understand what you’re saying.

Let’s look at two sounds today that you might find rather tricky—the sounds ‘v‘  and ‘w.‘

“V” Sound

Place your upper front teeth against your lower lip and say:

“Vanessa visited Vienna.“

“W” Sound 

Round your lips as if you’re ready to kiss someone and produce a sound further back in your mouth, like a short “wuh.”

“Wilson won the Wimbledon match.”

Don’t worry about not pronouncing the words perfectly. People appreciate you trying. Just keep practising, and you’ll improve!

A Personal Story

Good pronunciation in any language can be tricky. Even today, I need to pause before I say “Es war Schnäppchen” or “Möchtest du ein Schnäpschen.”

Before You Go

Practise saying the following out loud:

“vest” and “west”
“vine” and “wine”
“vet” and “wet”
“Victoria visited the vibrant valley, while Walter watched whimsical waterfalls and wildflowers.“

I hope this helps you feel more confident speaking English! 😊