The wh sound in English: /w/
IPA: /w/ · Closest Arabic sound: حرف الواو (و) (وْ)
The wh sound explained
In most accents wh sounds like w. The question words start with it: what, when, where, why, which.
Two letters, one sound (digraphs): Two neighbouring letters make one new sound, such as sh, ch and th.
Words with wh
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Teach the five question words as a set: what / when / where / why / which. They all start with wh.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce wh in English?
In most accents wh sounds like w. The question words start with it: what, when, where, why, which. The sound is /w/, closest to the Arabic حرف الواو (و).
Which words have wh?
What (ماذا), When (متى), Where (أين), Why (لماذا), White (أبيض), Whale (حوت).
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.