The phonics n sound closes out Jolly Phonics Group 1 — it’s the sixth and last of s, a, t, i, p, n, usually taught in the first weeks of Reception or kindergarten around age 4.
By the time a child reaches /n/, they’ve already learned five sounds and can blend several simple words, so this one tends to click quickly. Below are word lists, the official action, a short story, and a free worksheet.
N Words to Read Together
/n/ at the start
- nut
- net
- nap
- nose
- neck
- nine
- nod
- nest
/n/ in the middle
- dinner
- sunny
- funny
- tunnel
- penny
- bunny
/n/ at the end
- sun
- man
- pen
- run
- fan
- ten
- win
- fun
Blend these one sound at a time: n-u-t → nut, n-e-t → net, n-a-p → nap, r-u-n → run.
How to Make the /n/ Sound
/n/ is a voiced nasal sound: the tongue tip touches the ridge just behind the top teeth, the mouth stays slightly open, and air flows out through the nose while the throat buzzes. The Jolly Phonics action is to stretch your arms out like an aeroplane and make a continuous nnnnn engine noise — the longer you can hold it, the better. For a cue song, hum “nnnnn” to the tune of an aeroplane taking off, rising in pitch as the “engine” warms up.
The sound most often confused with /n/ is /m/, the other nasal sound — compare man and name, or feel that /m/ closes the lips while /n/ only lifts the tongue tip. On paper, the letter shapes n, h and u also look alike to new writers, so it’s worth double-checking which way the hump or the tail points.
Story Time: The Car That Wouldn’t Start
Danny’s family piled into the car for a long-awaited trip to the theme park. Dad turned the key, and the engine only managed a weak “nnnnnn, nnnnnn” before going quiet. He tried again and again, but it just hummed the same nasal little nnnnnn and refused to start. “I don’t think this is our lucky morning,” Dad admitted with a laugh, and the family ended up walking to the park down the street instead — with the engine’s nnnnnn becoming their new running joke for the rest of the day.
Try These Today
- Sound hunt (2 minutes): look for things around the house that start with /n/, like a napkin, a nightlight or a newspaper.
- Listen and mark (3 minutes): use the picture below, say each word slowly, and ask your child to mark it only when they hear /n/ at the start.
- Aeroplane arms (2 minutes): stretch out your arms and hum nnnnn together, flying around the room until the “fuel” runs out.
- Build a word (5 minutes): use the flashcards below to spell nut — n, u, t — sounding out each letter before blending.
See the full phase 2 phonics flashcards set for more combinations to build.
Download the Free Jolly Phonics 42 Sounds Chart
Get all 42 Jolly Phonics letter sounds on one free printable chart PDF — in teaching order with an example word for every sound.
Free Letter N Tracing Worksheet
Here’s the letter /n/ tracing worksheet to practice: Free!- printable letter N n tracing worksheets
Our printable animal-tracing sheet gives extra practice pages once your child can already form n on their own.
N in the Jolly Phonics Sequence
/n/ follows the /p/ sound and finishes Group 1 before the /c/ sound opens Group 2. The Jolly Phonics complete guide lists the full order of all 42 sounds.
Watch: Hear the /n/ Sound
Frequently asked questions
Is the /n/ sound voiced or voiceless?
/n/ is voiced — the throat buzzes while air passes through the nose, unlike a voiceless sound such as /s/.
What is the Jolly Phonics action for /n/?
Stretch your arms out like an aeroplane and make a continuous nnnnn engine noise for as long as your breath allows.
How do I stop my child mixing up /n/ and /m/?
Compare pairs like man and name, and point out that /m/ closes the lips completely while /n/ only lifts the tongue tip, leaving the lips open.
Which sound comes after /n/ in Jolly Phonics?
/n/ is the last sound of Group 1, so /c/ comes next, opening Group 2 along with k, e, h, r, m and d.
