How to Pronounce "knee"
The correct pronunciation of "knee" is NEE /niː/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "kuh-NEE" habit for good.
knee
/niː/The joint between the thigh and the lower leg.
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Record yourself saying “knee” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "kuh-NEE" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Sounding the 'k': 'kuh-NEE' or 'k-nee'. | NEE /niː/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Single syllable. |
How Do You Pronounce "knee"?
"knee" is pronounced NEE /niː/. The stress is on the single syllable. As a noun, it means the joint between the thigh and the lower leg.
The 'k' is silent — the word is just 'nee', sounding exactly like the start of 'needle'.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "knee" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
NEE — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Single syllable. Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'k' is silent — the word is just 'nee', sounding exactly like the start of 'needle'.
Blend and repeat
Now say "knee" at normal speed: NEE. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "knee" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
see → knee
Rhymes exactly with 'see'; the k is silent.
NOT kuh-NEE — NEE
Begin on the n; there is no k sound.
Say at speed: "He hurt his knee playing football."
Keep the k silent in the full sentence.
Why "knee" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian-language scripts pronounce every written letter, so the silent English 'k' gets voiced.
Tip: Drop the 'k' completely and say NEE, rhyming with 'see'.
Hear “knee” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
He hurt his knee playing football.
She fell and grazed her knee.
Bend your knee slowly.
Words Related to "knee"
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "knee" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce "knee" in Indian English?
What is the most common mistake when saying "knee"?
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