Pronouncing "s" in Portuguese
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There are five different ways to pronounce the consonant s in Brazilian Portuguese depending on where it appears in a word.1. When s appears between vowels, like in rosa, rose, it sounds like a z.2. When s comes before a voiced consonant (a consonant sound produced with a vibration of the cords:b, d, ge, gi, j, l, m ,n ,r, v, z), as in esboço, sketch, the s tends to be pronounced like the z in azure.3. Before a voiceless consonant (a consonant sound produced without a vibration of the vocal cords: hard c, g, f, p, qu, t) and in the final positions, it can be pronounced like the s in see, as in estados, states; or it can sound like the sh in shine in Portugal and in Rio de Janeiro.4. When s is in initial positions, or after a consonant, it sounds like the s in see, as in sopa, soup.5. When s comes with another s, it is pronounced like the English ss in passage, passagem, ticket.Can you put the following words in the correct category? The answers are below.a. Pascoa (Easter) _____b. assumir (to assume) _____c. casado (married) _____d. responder (to answer) _____e. asma (asthma) _____Answers: a.3; b.5; c.1; d.2; e. 4;
