Bilabial Consonants

 

 

 

Bilabials are consonants for which the flow of air is stopped or restricted by the two lips. Bilabials may be voiced (vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the consonant) or voiceless (vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the consonant). Here is a list of the bilabials in Present-Day English.

Examples:

/b/: 

Lips: Pressed together (as for (p)). 

Airstream: Stopped and then exploded. 

Vocal cords: vibrating. 

/p/: 

Lips: Pressed together. 

Airstream: Stopped and then exploded. 

Vocal cords: Not vibrating.