Back to all sounds
Consonant

K

The K sound is a voiceless velar stop consonant. It is made by pressing the back of your tongue against the soft palate (velum) and releasing it with a puff of air.

k
Phonetic System (Merriam-Webster):k

Watch the Sound

Click the video to watch in fullscreen mode

Example Words

Main Example

key
Phonetic: /ki/

Common Words

key/ki/
cat/kæt/
keep/kip/
make/meɪk/
like/laɪk/
work/wɜrk/
book/bʊk/

Minimal Pairs

Listen and compare similar sounds

k
cap
/kæp/
Compare with
C
gap
/gæp/
k
back
/bæk/
Compare with
B
bag
/bæg/
k
cold
/koʊld/
Compare with
C
gold
/goʊld/

Tongue Twister

Kate keeps kicking the kinky kangaroo.

Try it yourself

Practice saying this tongue twister

Technical Details

  • CategoryConsonant
  • VoicingVoiceless
  • Place of ArticulationVelar
  • Manner of ArticulationPlosive/Stop
  • Mouth PositionPress the back of your tongue against your soft palate (the soft part at the back of the roof of your mouth). Build up air pressure, then release it with a small puff of air. Your vocal cords should not vibrate.