h sound

Core Rule

The h sound /h/ is a voiceless glottal fricative. It is produced by airflow passing through the open vocal cords without vibration. The letter h never forms a syllable on its own and most often appears at the beginning of words.

Articulation Guide

Keep the tongue relaxed and low. Shape the lips for the following vowel. Open the throat slightly and release a soft breath, with no voicing and no friction against the mouth.

Word Analysis

high /haɪ/: start with a clear breathy onset /h/, then glide smoothly into the diphthong /aɪ/. Dropping the /h/ makes it sound like I.

Pitfalls

Avoid omitting /h/ or over‑aspirating it. Remember that in some words (hour, honest), h is silent due to historical spelling.