Letter
How to pronounce Polish letter «b» [b]
b
IPA[b]
Voiced labial [b]. Word-finally it is usually devoiced: chleb → [xlep].
How to shape the sound
At the end of a Polish word a voiced consonant is usually devoiced: «chleb» sounds [xlep], «kod» — [kot], «róż» and «rusz» — the same [ruš].
Common trap
In Ukrainian a final voiced consonant stays voiced (e.g. “dub” keeps [b]). Learners carry that habit into Polish and say «chleb» as [xleb]. In Russian and Belarusian final-obstruent voicing assimilation happens automatically, so this error is rare there.
How to fix it
Read the end of the word voiceless: chleb → [xlep], kod → [kot], gałąź → [gawońś].
Practice words
Pick a teacher — the word plays in their voice · Mirosław
banan
banana
Focus on pronunciation «b»
butelka
bottle
Focus on pronunciation «b»
kubek
mug
Focus on pronunciation «b»
chleb
bread
Focus on pronunciation «b»