Minimal pair

· from English

What is a minimal pair?

A minimal pair is two words that differ in only one sound or tone, like Mandarin mā and mà, used to train listening and pronunciation.

Minimal pairs prove that a contrast matters in a language. They are the best drill for tones, aspiration and vowel length: listen, identify, then produce. Language-specific pairs show learners exactly which contrasts their first language never taught them to hear.

Examples

媽 mā vs 罵 mà; Korean 불 bul (fire), 뿔 ppul (horn), 풀 pul (grass); Japanese 来て kite (come) vs 切って kitte (cut)

Kungfucius says: Two words, one difference, endless opportunities to order the wrong thing.