RP

k

Lower case k

Voiceless velar plosive.

When we pronounce this sound, the back of the tongue, the active articulator, is in contact with the velum, the passive articulator. A complete closure is produced. The velum is in its raised position. When the articulators are separated the lung air goes out through the mouth producing a kind of plosion. The vocal folds do not vibrate during the production of this sound.

Spelling
<c> cat /kæt/
<cc> occupy /ˈɒkjʊpaɪ/
<k> make /meɪk/
<ck> sack /sæk/
<q> queen /kwi:n/
<cq> acquire /əˈkwaɪə/
<ch> character /ˈkærəktə/
<que> boutique /bu:ˈti:k/
<x> (/k/ + /s/) six /sɪks/
Examples
came /keɪm/
active /ˈæktɪv/
back /bæk/
kicked /kɪkt/
acquire /əˈkwaɪə/
make /meɪk/
crisp /krɪsp/
occupy /ˈɒkjʊpaɪ/
I’ve got cake and biscuits.

/aɪv ˈɡɒt ˈkeɪk ənd ˈbɪskɪts/

I’ll cook the pork at six o’clock.

/ˈaɪl ˈkʊk ðə ˈpɔ:k ət ˈsɪks əˈklɒk/

That cruel criminal kicked the cat

/ðət ˈkrʊəl ˈkrɪmɪnl̩ ˈkɪkt ðə ˈkæt/

Crisp crusts crackle crunchily.

/krɪsp krʌsts ˈkrækl̩ ˈkrʌntʃɪli/

Pronunciation

The soft palate is in its raised position and the vocal folds do not vibrate. The back of the tongue and the soft palate form a closure which prevents the pulmonic air stream from escaping. When they separate, the air escapes with a kind of explosion.

PSp

k

Lower case k

Voiceless velar plosive.

When we pronounce this sound, the back of the tongue, the active articulator, is in contact with the velum, the passive articulator. A complete closure is produced. The velum is in its raised position. When the articulators are separated the lung air goes out through the mouth producing a kind of plosion. The vocal folds do not vibrate during the production of this sound.

Spelling
<qu> followed by u e, i; <c> followed by a, o, u
Examples
quebrar
aquejar
quieto
paquistaní
cara
acabar
coro
acorralar
curso
acusar
oc
Poquito a poquito Paquito empaca poquitas copitas en pocos paquetes
Pronunciation

The soft palate is in its raised position and the vocal folds do not vibrate. The back of the tongue and the soft palate form a closure which prevents the pulmonic air stream from escaping. When they separate, the air escapes with a kind of explosion.