ShortConsonant contrast
M vs N Sounds Minimal Pairs
/m/ and /n/ pronunciation, listening, and reading practice
/m/ and /n/ are both voiced nasal sounds, but /m/ closes the lips while /n/ uses the tongue tip.
Produce both sounds accurately
What changes in the mouth?
M
Close both lips and send the voiced air through the nose.
N
Touch the tongue tip behind the upper teeth; keep the lips open and use nasal voice.
Accuracy note: Do not close the lips for /n/. The tongue, not the lips, blocks the air.
11 reviewed contrasts
Listen to the minimal pairs
Play both words in a row. First decide whether they sound the same or different; then repeat each word without adding an extra vowel.
Interactive practice
Listen and choose
Hear one word, then select the word you heard. Complete six questions and replay whenever you need to.
Listen carefully, then choose.
Meaning in context
Read both sounds in sentences
1The map is by the nap mat.
2Nine mice are nice.
3The ram ran in the sun.
4The team met ten teens.
Read once slowly for accuracy, then reread at a natural pace. Ask the learner to point to each target word and explain its meaning.
Deliberate practice
A five-minute teaching routine
Play four words and ask the learner to identify sound A or sound B.
Reveal the pair, say both words, and check the mouth cue above.
Read one sentence and discuss how changing the sound changes the word.
Hold /mmm/ with closed lips, then open the lips and place the tongue tip for /nnn/.
Offline review
Print this sound contrast lesson
The print view includes the mouth cues, reviewed pairs, accuracy note, sentences, and practice routine.