S and Z minimal pairs

Minimal pairs are simply words that differ by one sound or phonological element. They also have different meanings. The sound can be dissimilar in the initial or first sound such as – sip and zip. It can be unlike in the middle sound such as –  lacy and lazy. It can also be different in the final sound at the end of the word such as – purse and purrs.

The minimal pairs S and Z are different because the S is unvoiced while the Z is voiced. The Z sound is voiced by using the throat and vibrating your vocal cords when pronouncing it. For the unvoiced S, more air is released from your mouth and there is no vibration at all from the throat.