nk nasal

Core Rule

The nk nasal rule states that nk is pronounced /ŋk/. The letter n changes to a velar nasal /ŋ/, followed immediately by a voiceless /k/. This pattern appears mainly at the end of syllables.

Articulation Guide

Raise the back of the tongue to the soft palate for /ŋ/ with nasal airflow, then release quickly into /k/.

Word Analysis

blank /blæŋk/, blink /blɪŋk/ follow the rule; blonde contains n, not nk, so the rule does not apply.

Pitfalls

Do not pronounce nk as /n+k/. Always keep the final /k/ sound.