The kn sound in English: /n/
IPA: /n/ · Closest Arabic sound: حرف النون (ن) (نْ)
The kn sound explained
The k is silent! kn is just 'n': knee, know, knife. A historical letter that stayed in the spelling.
Two letters, one sound (digraphs): Two neighbouring letters make one new sound, such as sh, ch and th.
Words with kn
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Ask your child to 'hush' the k with a finger on the card before reading the word.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce kn in English?
The k is silent! kn is just 'n': knee, know, knife. A historical letter that stayed in the spelling. The sound is /n/, closest to the Arabic حرف النون (ن).
Which words have kn?
Knee (ركبة), Know (يعرف), Knife (سكين), Knock (يطرق), Knot (عقدة), Knight (فارس).
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.