These sounds are made by forcing air through a narrow space. Spanish lacks /v/, /θ/, /ð/, and /z/, so learners often substitute them.
/v/ vs. /f/
| Voiced /v/ | Voiceless /f/ |
|---|
| van | fan |
| vine | fine |
| vote | float |
| vest | fest |
| veil | fail |
| view | few |
| valve | falve (nonword) |
| very | ferry |
| save | safe |
| live | leaf |
/θ/ vs. /ð/
| Voiceless /θ/ | Voiced /ð/ |
|---|
| think | this |
| thin | then |
| thank | that |
| thought | though |
| thief | they |
| three | there |
| throw | those |
| thick | the |
| thumb | them |
| theater | either |
/z/ vs. /s/
| Voiced /z/ | Voiceless /s/ |
|---|
| zoo | sue |
| zip | sip |
| zone | stone |
| zero | cereal |
| buzz | bus |
| maze | mace |
| raise | race |
| nose | noose |
| prize | price |
| peas | peace |
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