Consonant Contrast
How to Pronounce safe vs save
Key Pronunciation Contrast
‘Safe’ ends in voiceless /f/ (⁄seɪf⁄); ‘save’ ends in voiced /v/ (⁄seɪv⁄).
Contrast: Voiceless /f/ vs voiced /v/
“You’ll be safe from the storm here in the cabin.”
“She was saved from drowning by a passer-by.”
Watch Native Video Clips & Ear Training
80 total video examplesListen separately:
Frequently Asked Questions: safe vs save
What is the difference in pronunciation between "safe" and "save"?
‘Safe’ ends in voiceless /f/ (⁄seɪf⁄); ‘save’ ends in voiced /v/ (⁄seɪv⁄).
Where does the syllable stress fall in "safe" vs "save"?
"safe" has 1 syllable(s) (safe) with stress on "SAFE". "save" has 1 syllable(s) (save) with stress on "SAVE".
Why do English learners often confuse "safe" and "save"?
Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: Voiceless /f/ vs voiced /v/. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.
What are example sentences for "safe" and "save"?
Example for "safe": "You’ll be safe from the storm here in the cabin." Example for "save": "She was saved from drowning by a passer-by."