The ck sound in English: /k/
IPA: /k/ · Closest Arabic sound: حرف الكاف (ك) (كْ)
The ck sound explained
ck is one 'k' sound and comes at the end of short words after a short vowel: duck, back, sock.
Two letters, one sound (digraphs): Two neighbouring letters make one new sound, such as sh, ch and th.
Words with ck
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Golden rule: after a short vowel at the end of a word we write ck, not k alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce ck in English?
ck is one 'k' sound and comes at the end of short words after a short vowel: duck, back, sock. The sound is /k/, closest to the Arabic حرف الكاف (ك).
Which words have ck?
Duck (بطة), Sock (جورب), Clock (ساعة حائط), Back (ظهر), Truck (شاحنة), Rock (صخرة).
What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?
In a digraph (like sh and ch) the two letters make one new sound; in a blend (like st and bl) each letter keeps its own sound and they are said quickly one after the other.