chinese
The language and writing system used in China.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: CH Digraph
C and H together make a new sound: /tʃ/, like in 'chop' and 'much'.
When C and H are together, they don't say /k/ + /h/. They make a completely new sound: /tʃ/. This is called a digraph — two letters making one sound.
Tip
CH — choo choo goes the train!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Open Syllable I (Long I)
When I is the last letter of a syllable, the syllable is open and the I says its name /aɪ/ — like in 'hi' and 'fi-nal'.
This is the open-syllable pattern: a syllable that ends in a vowel leaves it 'open', so it says its long name. Here, a lone I at the end of a syllable says /aɪ/ (hi, si-lent). The I also says its long name before two consonants in the 'ind' and 'ild' families (find, kind, child, mild). The long I sound is also spelled other ways, each its own rule — silent E (bike) or igh (night) — but those are not open syllables.
Tip
Long I says its name — I!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter N
The letter N makes the /n/ sound, like in 'net', 'nap', and 'nut'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
N is a voiced alveolar nasal — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while voice hums through the nose. It is one of the most common consonants in English.
Tip
N hums through the nose — say /n/ and feel the buzz!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with E (Magic E)
In the e-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the first E say its name /iː/ — like in 'these' and 'complete'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern e-consonant-e (like 'these'), the final E is silent but it makes the first E say its long sound /iː/. This is the least common of the Magic-E patterns. Examples: these, theme, scene, complete, gene, eve.
Tip
Magic E makes E say its name — these, theme, complete!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter S
The letter S usually makes the /s/ sound, like in 'sun', 'sit', and 'sock'. Air hisses through a small gap.
S is a voiceless alveolar fricative when it makes the /s/ sound. At the end of many words it can also make a /z/ sound (as in 'dogs' or 'has'). At the start of a word it is always /s/.
Tip
S hisses like a snake — sssssun!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with E (Magic E)
In the e-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the first E say its name /iː/ — like in 'these' and 'complete'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern e-consonant-e (like 'these'), the final E is silent but it makes the first E say its long sound /iː/. This is the least common of the Magic-E patterns. Examples: these, theme, scene, complete, gene, eve.
Tip
Magic E makes E say its name — these, theme, complete!
Examples
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
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