The ll sound in English: /l/
IPA: /l/ · Closest Arabic sound: حرف اللام (ل) (لْ)
The ll sound explained
Two l letters in writing, one 'l' sound. It comes at the end of short words: ball, bell, hill.
Two letters, one sound (digraphs): Two neighbouring letters make one new sound, such as sh, ch and th.
Words with ll
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
The 'doubled letters' rule: f, l, s and z usually double at the end of a short word (off, bell, miss, buzz).
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce ll in English?
Two l letters in writing, one 'l' sound. It comes at the end of short words: ball, bell, hill. The sound is /l/, closest to the Arabic حرف اللام (ل).
Which words have ll?
Ball (كرة), Bell (جرس), Hill (تل), Doll (دمية), Shell (صدفة), Yellow (أصفر).
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.