Pronunciation > Letter combinations > "QUI" in English words

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"QUI" in English words

By Alena Lien, 8 Sept 2018

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The letter "q" is usually pronounced as /k/. As it is often followed by "u," "qu" is often pronounced as a combination of /k/ and /w/.

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"Qui" is a common letter group in English words and there are 4 distinct ways of pronouncing it. This can occur at the beginning or in the middle of words.

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1.   /kwɪ/

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This is the most common. 

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At the beginning:

• Quick

• Quit

• Quiz

• Quiver

• Quidditch

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In the middle:

• Squish

• Equipment

• Tranquility

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2.   /kwaɪ/

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At the beginning:

• Quite

• Quiet

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In the middle:

• Equine

• Inquiry

• Unrequited

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The word, "quiet," is made up of 2 syllables (qui-et). When vowel sounds are linked between syllables, often a y-sound (/j/) is produced. 

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3.   /kwɜ/

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This is less common in English words and letter groups that end with "r" are usually pronounced this way.

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At the beginning:

• Quirk

• Quirt

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In the middle:

• Squirm

• Squirt

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4.   /ki/

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This is even less common in English words.

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At the beginning:

• Quinoa

• Quiche

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In the middle:

• Mannequin

• Tequila

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