The ng sound in English: /ŋ/
IPA: /ŋ/ · Closest Arabic sound: نون أنفية من مؤخرة الفم (نْغ)
The ng sound explained
A nasal sound from the back of the mouth, like n with the back of the tongue raised. No 'g' is heard after it: sing is not 'sin-g'. It only appears in the middle or end of words.
Two letters, one sound (digraphs): Two neighbouring letters make one new sound, such as sh, ch and th.
Words with ng
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Put your child's hand on their nose for 'ng' to feel the buzz. -ing words are everywhere in English.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce ng in English?
A nasal sound from the back of the mouth, like n with the back of the tongue raised. No 'g' is heard after it: sing is not 'sin-g'. It only appears in the middle or end of words. The sound is /ŋ/, closest to the Arabic نون أنفية من مؤخرة الفم.
Which words have ng?
Sing (يغني), Ring (خاتم), King (ملك), Long (طويل), Swing (أرجوحة), Morning (صباح).
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.