Language
French
Unit
Consonnes
IPA
/k/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for occlusives - /k/.

Quick tip

Plosives are made by blocking airflow then releasing it suddenly.

Letters and IPA

Letters

k

/k/

Practice words

  • car

  • café

  • cuisine

  • côté

  • cœur

Minimal pairs

  • car / gar
  • cœur / sœur
  • côte / note
  • cave / gave
  • cane / pane

How to produce this sound

The /k/ sound is made by raising the back of your tongue to the soft palate (the back part of the roof of your mouth) and releasing it suddenly. It is voiceless, so your vocal cords do not vibrate.

Common mix-ups

  • car / gar
  • cœur / sœur
  • café / cavé
  • côté / coté
  • cuisine / quisine

Closest comparison

cat, cold, cake, car, key

Keep exploring

Previous Occlusives - /d/ Consonnes Next Occlusives - /g/ Consonnes