FLAP /ɾ/ Sound T, D, R

Описание: What is a Flap T, and why does it sound like a "D"? 🇺🇸 In this lesson, Christine Dunbar from SpeechModification.com explains the most important sound for achieving a natural American rhythm.

If you are pronouncing the "T" in words like WATER or BETTER with a strong burst of air, you aren't using a Flap. Learn how to turn that "plosive" sound into a quick, light tap that mimics the single 'R' in Spanish or Italian. This one shift will immediately make your English sound more fluent and less robotic.

In this video, you will learn:

The "Tongue Tap": How to move your tongue to the alveolar ridge without building up air pressure.

Flap vs. Plosive: Why a real "T" or "D" bursts, but a Flap just glides.

The Spanish 'R' Connection: How the "R" in pero (single roll) is actually the same physical movement as the American Flap T.

Common Examples: Mastering the sound in everyday words like Water, Getting, and City.

The "Soft D" Trap: Why you should avoid making the sound too heavy, which turns it into a standard "D."

Master the American Rhythm: wa-ter → wa-der (light tap)

Transform your accent: The Flap T is the secret to "Connected Speech." For more drills on how to link words using the Flap, check out our American Accent Six-Week Course! 👉
Time Stamps

0:00 – What exactly is a Flap T?

0:10 – Flap T vs. The Spanish "R" (perro)

0:20 – The technical difference: Pressure vs. Tapping

0:35 – Why a Flap is NOT a Plosive (/t/ vs /ɾ/)

0:45 – Avoiding a "Heavy D" sound in Water

0:50 – Practice words and phrases