Intermediate … min read · Updated 2026-06-20

Sound of "C" as 'K' and 'S'

The letter C has two sounds, and there is an easy rule to know which one to use.

- C = /s/ (soft) before e, i, ycity, cent, cycle, circle - C = /k/ (hard) before a, o, u and before consonants → cat, cot, cup, clock, cream

Soft /s/: city, ice, face, pencil, cycle

Hard /k/: cake, car, cup, cold, clean

Remember: "C before e, i, y is soft /s/." Everywhere else, C is hard /k/.

Common mistake: Saying /s/ in words like cat or cup. Before a, o, u the C is always hard /k/.

✏️ Test Yourself

1. **cake**

2. **ice**

3. **cup**

4. **city**

📒 Words to learn

Spit (v)
Balochi
تُک جنگ
Urdu
تھوکنا

Don’t spit in the class

Sneeze (v)
Balochi
چِشگ
Urdu
چھینکنا

Why you are sneezing in the kitchen?

Mad (n)
Balochi
گنوک
Urdu
پاگل

Basham is my mad friend.

Lame (adj)
Balochi
لنگ
Urdu
لنگڑا

Jadain is a lame boy.

Pimple (n)
Balochi
دانگ
Urdu
کیل

I have many pimples on my skin.

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