Introduction to Stops > How to pronounce /k/ > Common /k/ spellings > Practice pronouncing /k/

How to pronounce the 'k sound' /k/

The 'k sound' /k/ is unvoiced (the vocal cords do not vibrate while producing it), and is the counterpart to the voiced 'g sound' /g/.

To create the /k/, air is briefly prevented from leaving the vocal tract when the back of the tongue lifts and presses against the soft palate at the back of the mouth. The sound is aspirated when the air is released. The amount of aspiration used to produce a /k/ is greater than that used for a /g/.