How to Pronounce B vs V
B and V are both voiced — the difference is where the sound is made.
Josh’s B uses a lip release; V uses vibration between the upper teeth and the bottom lip, so “very” does not land as “berry.”
Over 8,000 lessons taught
Steps
- Treat both sounds as voiced (vocal cords on).
- For B: build and release the sound from the lips (Josh: a B comes from releasing the lips).
- For V: place the upper teeth on the bottom lip and keep vibration there (Josh: V comes from vibration between the upper teeth and bottom lip).
- Check common swaps — if “very” sounds like “berry,” you are using a lip-release B instead of a teeth-on-lip V.
- Practice everyday and work pairs: very / berry, vote / boat, and phrases like “video call,” “available Friday,” “send feedback” — keep V on the teeth, not the lips.
What Josh teaches
For native speakers, a B is voiced and comes from releasing the lips, and a V is voiced and comes from vibration between the upper teeth and bottom lip. That contact difference is why “berry” and “very” are not the same word.
B: voiced lip release • V: voiced vibration, upper teeth on bottom lip
Related: American R · TH sound
15 minutes · live 1:1 with Josh · get understood the first time
Common questions
Are B and V both voiced?
Yes. Josh’s teaching groups both as voiced — the contrast is contact point, not voicing on/off.
Why does “very” become “berry”?
If you release from the lips (B) instead of vibrating upper teeth on the bottom lip (V), “very” collapses toward “berry.”
What should I feel for V?
Upper teeth on the bottom lip with continuing vibration — not a clean lip pop.
