How to say the Y sound
Y as in yellowIPA: /j/
Many children can say the Y sound by about 3–4 years. Some take longer, and that can be normal.
You can hear the Y sound in words like yellow, yes and you. On this page you can listen to it, see how to make it, and find games to practise it.
Hear the sound
Press play as many times as you like.
How to make the Y sound
- Spread your lips slightly, like the beginning of a smile.
- Keep your voice turned on.
- Let your tongue rise toward the roof of your mouth as you begin: then move into the vowel.
Words to practise
- yellow
- yes
- you
- year
- yell
Try this sentence
Yes, the yellow yak yawns.
Hear the difference
Each pair sounds almost the same, but one sound is different. Say them slowly and listen for the change.
- yell and well
- yet and wet
- yawn and worn
Games for the Y sound
- Feed the Monster
- Magic Orb
- Tower Stacker
- Feed the Puppy
- Bubble Pop
- Echo Cave
- Slingshot Gallery
- Feed the Kiwi
- Treasure Chest
- Feed the Alien
- Word Fishing
- Feed the Dinosaur
- Feed the Robot
- Feed the Bear
- Feed the Dragon
More to listen to
Just the sound
The sound on its own, said once.
Sound and syllables
The sound, then each syllable.
Practise the syllables
Say each syllable along with Molly.
More practice for this sound is coming soon in our lessons. Join the waitlist
Why there are two voices
One voice says whole words. Molly says the sounds and syllables. Each one says its part clearly, the same way every time.
Tips for practising at home
- Listen to the sound a few times before you try it.
- Say each word slowly and clearly.
- Keep it short. 5 to 10 minutes is plenty.
- Cheer every try, even the ones that aren't perfect.
This is practice, not therapy. If you're worried about your child's speech, talk to a speech-language therapist or your GP.