What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
palatal
Example
The 'y' sound in 'yes' is a palatal sound. [palatal: adjective]
Example
The hard palate is important for speech production. [palatal: noun]
Example
The dentist examined the patient's palatal region. [palatal: adjective]
lingual
Example
The 'th' sound in 'think' is a lingual sound. [lingual: adjective]
Example
The tongue is a powerful muscle that helps us speak and eat. [lingual: noun]
Example
The dentist examined the patient's lingual region. [lingual: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lingual is more commonly used than palatal in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications and can be used in both technical and everyday contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between palatal and lingual?
Both palatal and lingual have technical and specialized connotations, but palatal is generally considered more formal due to its association with phonetics and linguistics.
