← All 37 symbols
ㄎk
ㄎ — the bopomofo symbol for k
ㄎ is one of the 37 zhuyin symbols used to write Mandarin pronunciation in Taiwan. It is an initial, written k in pinyin and pronounced [kʰ]. Like the k in "kite" — strongly aspirated.
- Pinyin
- k
- IPA
- [kʰ]
- Called
- ke
- Type
- Throat sounds
How to say it
Same tongue position as ㄍ, released with a strong puff of air.
Closest English soundLike the k in "kite" — strongly aspirated.
Where the symbol comes from
丂
kǎo · obstructed breath
→ ㄎ
From 丂, the ancient form of 考 (kǎo) — a picture of breath meeting an obstruction, which is what the sound is.
In a word
開
ㄎㄞ
kāi
To open
Do not mix it up with
Typing it
On the standard Taiwanese zhuyin keyboard, ㄎ sits on the D key.