К

К к кы – Pronounced like the “k” sound in the word “kind”:

• кнопк "button",
• ручк "pen".

Ку

Ку ку куы – Does not have exact equivalent in English. Pronounced like the “coo” combination in the word “cool”, but a little shorter.

• кушъэ́ "cradle",
• ку "cart".

Къ

Къ къ къы – Does not have equivalent in English. This is a pharyngeal sound. During the pronunciation the vocal cords, mouth and throat are closed. When the air struggles through the closed organs, a sharp flicking sound appears.

• къалэ́ "city",
• къэк1о́н "come".

Къу

Къу къу къуы – Does not have equivalent in English. This is a labial and  pharyngeal sound. It is different from the “къ” sound by how the lips work. They are stretched forward and rounded, which prolongs the resonator.

• къухьэ́ "ship",
• къушъхьэ́ "mountain".

К1

К1 к1 к1ы – Does not have equivalent in English. This is a velar and pharyngeal sound. Additional articulation of the vocal cords is needed to pronounce it. At the beginning the vocal cords are closed, then they open themselves producing a noise:

• к1ыма́ф "winter",
• к1ыхьэ́ "long".

After the “с” and “ш” letters the sound has another pronunciation (meaning). For example: шк1э "calf". In this case this is a voiceless sound with pharyngeal expiration.

К1у

К1у к1у к1уы -  Does not have equivalent in English. The pronunciation is close to the “ку” sound, but there is additional move of the vocal cords which is made the same way like with the “к1” sound. Labialization in this case is stronger and longer than with the “ку” sound.

• к1ун "pass",
• к1уак1э́ "gait".