sp
Consonant blends
The sp sound in English: /sp/
IPA: /sp/ · Closest Arabic sound: سين + باء بنفخة (سْپْ)
How to say it
The sp sound explained
Blend 's' and 'p': spoon, spider, space.
Consonant blends: Two consonants in a row each keep their sound but are said quickly together, such as bl, st and tr.
With audio and meaning
Words with sp
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
After s, the P has a weaker puff; easier for Arabic-speaking children than P alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce sp in English?
Blend 's' and 'p': spoon, spider, space. The sound is /sp/, closest to the Arabic سين + باء بنفخة.
Which words have sp?
Spoon (ملعقة), Spider (عنكبوت), Space (فضاء), Sport (رياضة), Spot (بقعة), Spin (يدور).
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.
Consonant blends