The letter X: listen, repeat, and write
Box · صُندوق
Letter name: إكس · Letter sound: كْسْ /ks/
How to say the letter X
Two quick sounds: 'k' then 's'. It mostly appears at the end of words like box and fox.
In phonics we teach the sound of a letter before its name, because the sound is what the child uses when reading. The name of X is "إكس" in Arabic script, but when we read Box we hear the sound /ks/.
Words that start with X
Tap a word to hear it, then repeat it with your child
Short sentence
Six foxes sit in a box.
ستة ثعالب تجلس في صندوق.
Trace the letter Xx
Write with your finger or mouse over the faded letter, then try the small letter
Letter X worksheets to print
Trace capital X
Dotted tracing rows for capital X with a Box picture.
Trace small x
Dotted tracing rows for small x on handwriting lines.
Picture and word
Xx with a Box picture and words that start with the letter to read, trace and colour.
Colour the letter X
Big outline capital and small letters to colour with the word Box.
Find and circle X
A grid of mixed letters: find capital X and small x and circle them.
Which words start with X?
8 words in English and Arabic: colour the star next to the words that start with the X sound.
Tip for parents and teachers
Teach X from the end of words (box, six, fox) because words that start with it are rare.
FAQ about the letter X
How is the letter X pronounced?
The letter name is "X". Its reading (phonics) sound is /ks/, closest to the Arabic كاف + سين (كْس). Two quick sounds: 'k' then 's'. It mostly appears at the end of words like box and fox.
What is the difference between the name and the sound of X?
We use the name when spelling, but the sound is what we hear at the start of Box. In phonics we teach the sound first because it is what the child needs to read words.
Which words start with X for kids?
Box (صندوق), Fox (ثعلب), Six (ستة), Mix (يخلط), X-ray (أشعة سينية). Listen to each one on this page.
How do I teach my child the letter X at home?
Teach X from the end of words (box, six, fox) because words that start with it are rare. Then print the free tracing sheet and write capital X and small x together.