Hard c soft c意思

The terms "hard C" and "soft C" typically refer to the pronunciation of the letter C in the English language. English has two main sounds for the letter C: one is a hard sound (like "k") and the other is a soft sound (like "s"). The difference between the two is determined by the letter that follows the C in the word.

Here's the general rule:

• Hard C: When C is followed by a consonant, it is usually pronounced like the letter K (hard sound). For example, in words like "cat," "coat," and "crab."

• Soft C: When C is followed by a vowel and then an E, I, or Y, it is usually pronounced like the letter S (soft sound). For example, in words like "city," "cinema," "cereal," and "cymbal."

However, there are exceptions to these rules, especially in words borrowed from other languages. For example, in words of French origin, the C is often silent before an E, as in "cent" (meaning "hundred").

It's important to note that these terms are not officially defined in linguistic terminology but are rather colloquial descriptions used to help English learners understand pronunciation.