Pronunciation of the sounds /k/ and /g/

The /k/ Sound

The letters K and C can both represent the /k/ sound (phonetic symbol). In English, the letter K always has the /k/ sound. However, the letter C is pronounced like S when it appears before the letters E, I, or Y, but like /k/ when it appears before other letters.

The /k/ sound is a voiceless sound, meaning that we only use air to produce it and not our vocal cords. Click the audio link below to hear and repeat the sound:

► The /k/ sound

The /g/ Sound

The letter G is pronounced as /dʒ/ (phonetic symbol) when it appears before the letters E, I, or Y, but as /g/ when it appears before other letters.

The /g/ sound is a voiced sound, which means that we use our vocal cords to produce it.

► The /g/ sound

The first word on each line has the /k/ sound. The second has the /g/ sound. Click on the word to hear and repeat the pronunciation.

The pronunciation of the sounds /k/ and /g/ in English
The /k/ sound	The /g/ sound
► coat	► goat
► curl	► girl
► class	► glass
► back	► bag
► clock)	► clog
► rack	► rag
► Kate	► gate
► cap	► gap
► coal	► goal
► crab	► grab
► creek	► Greek
► crow	► grow