ŋ
Consonant
/ŋ/ — Velar nasal
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| sing | /ˈsɪŋ/ | /sɪŋ/ |
| long | /ˈlɔŋ/ | /lɒŋ/ |
| king | /ˈkɪŋ/ | /kɪŋ/ |
| ring | /ˈɹɪŋ/ | /ɹɪŋ/ |
| song | /ˈsɔŋ/ | /sɒŋ/ |
| young | /ˈjʌŋ/ | /jʌŋ/ |
| bank | /ˈbæŋk/ | /ˈbaŋk/ |
| morning | /ˈmɔɹnɪŋ/ | /mɔːnɪŋ/ |
| wrong | /ˈɹɔŋ/ | /ɹɒŋ/ |
| drink | /ˈdɹɪŋk/ | /dɹɪŋk/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundVelar nasal.
TongueRaise the back of the tongue toward the soft palate (velum). Hold oral closure while lowering the velum so airflow is routed through the nose.
LipsKeep lips neutral unless coarticulation demands otherwise.
JawUse a small, stable opening and avoid over-opening.
VoiceKeep steady voicing through the nasal murmur.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /ŋ/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- rang/ˈɹæŋ/ran/ˈɹæn/
- sung/ˈsʌŋ/sun/ˈsʌn/
Spelling patterns
- ng as in sing
- n (before k) as in bank
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