Soft C Sound

The Soft Sound of “C”
The letter C makes a soft sound pronounced as /s/ (like the sound of “S”). This sound occurs in specific spelling patterns and is softer compared to the hard C sound (/k/). Learn the Hard C Sound

When Does the Letter “C” Make the Soft Sound?
The soft “C” sound /s/ typically occurs when the letter “C” is followed by the vowels E, I, or Y.
Examples of Soft “C” Words:
Before E:
cent, cell, ceiling, celebrate

Before I:
city, circle, cinema, civil

Before Y:
cycle, cylinder, fancy

The following diagram shows some examples of words that have the soft c sound. Scroll down the page for more examples and songs to help you learn how to pronounce words with the soft c sound.

 

Have a look at the following tables to compare hard C and soft C words for the letter C in the beginning, middle or ending of the words.

 

Hard C Sound
Pronunciation: /k/ (like the sound of “K”).
When It Happens:

• Before the vowels A, O, U (e.g., cat, cot, cup).
• At the beginning or end of many words. (e.g. corn, coat, picnic, comic).
• In consonant clusters (e.g., clap, crisp).

The Silent C
In some words, the “C” is silent and not pronounced.
Examples: muscle, scissors, ascend
Learn about the Silent C

Free worksheets to help students practice writing the letter C and the Alphabet.
Letter c Worksheet (lower case)
Letter C Worksheet (upper case)
Write Lower Case Letters
Write Upper Case Letters

Rhymes or songs with a mix of hard and soft C sounds

Sound of Soft C
Learn the other sound of C.

• Show Video Lesson

Hard C and Soft C

• Show Video Lesson

Phonics with the Soft (C) sound
Soft (c) before e,i, and y.

• Show Video Lesson

Hard and Soft C and G

• Show Video Lesson

Two Sounds Made by C song

• Show Video Lesson

soft c - Phonics
Words with the soft sound of the letter C.

• Show Video Lesson

Soft C
Words with -CE.

• Show Video Lesson

Learn the sound of the letters

Learning Short Vowels

Short Vowels
Short A	Short E	Short I
Short O	Short U	Short Vowels

Learning Long Vowels

Long Vowels
Long A	Long E	Long I
Long O	Long U	Y (vowel)
Long Vowels	Short & Long Vowels

Compare Short & Long Vowels

Short & Long Vowels
Short & Long A	Short & Long E	Short & Long I
Short & Long O	Short & Long U

Learning Consonants

Consonants
Letter B	Hard C	Soft C
Letter D	Letter F	Hard G
Soft G	Letter H	Letter J
Letter K	Letter L	Letter M
Letter N	Letter P	Letter Q
Letter R	Letter S	Letter T
Letter V	Letter W	Letter X
Letter Y	Letter Z

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.