language
PronouncedLANG-gwuhj
nounA system of words and rules that a group of people use to talk to each other.
nounThe power to speak and understand words.
nounSpecial words and ways of talking used by people who do a particular job or activity.
nounThe exact words chosen in a piece of writing.
nounInstructions written in a code that computers can understand and follow.
nounThe sounds and signals that animals use to communicate with each other.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter L
Sound“l”·/l/
The letter L makes the /l/ sound, like in 'lamp', 'leg', and 'lip'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
L is a voiced lateral approximant — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while air flows around the sides. Double L (ll) makes the same /l/ sound.
Tip
L is for lamp — light it up with /l/!
Examples
When the letter A appears in a closed syllable (a syllable that ends with a consonant), it usually makes the short A sound “a”. This is one of the first vowel sounds students learn.
Tip
A says “a” like a cat that sat on a mat.
Examples
Phonics Rule: NG Digraph
Sound“ng”·/ŋ/
NG together makes the “ng” sound at the back of your mouth, like in 'ring' and 'song'.
The digraph 'ng' makes the nasal sound “ng”. This sound is made at the back of your mouth/throat. It almost always appears at the end of a word or syllable.
Tip
Sing a song — NG rings along!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Schwa
Sound“uh”·/ə/
In unstressed syllables, vowels often make a lazy 'uh' sound called schwa, like the A in 'about'.
Schwa “uh” is the most common vowel sound in English. Any vowel letter can make the schwa sound when it's in an unstressed syllable. It sounds like a quick, lazy 'uh'.
Tip
Schwa is lazy — any vowel can say 'uh' when it's not stressed!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -AGE
Sound“ij”·/ɪdʒ/
In many words -AGE says “ij”, like in 'village' and 'message'.
When -AGE is an unstressed ending, it sounds like “ij” — village, message, cottage, package, manage, courage. (In words like 'age', 'cage', and 'stage' the A says long A — those are different.)
Tip
A message in the village — -AGE says “ij”!
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.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.