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kConsonants
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/k/

· ·

Voiceless velar plosive. Back of tongue against soft palate.

Example words

cat 
kid 
back 
school 

How to make the sound

Raise the back of your tongue to the soft palate, hold the air, then release it without voicing.

What to feel and listen for

The release is made far back in the mouth, with a clear puff and no throat vibration.

Common mistake: Keep the contact at the back of the mouth; /t/ is made at the front.

See how it differs

Articulation profile

PlosiveFricativeAffricateNasalApproximantLateralBilabialpb··m··Labiodental·fv····Dental·θð····Alveolartdsz·n·lPost-alveolar·ʃʒtʃdʒ·r·Palatal····j·Velarkɡ··ŋw·Glottal·h····