pig
/pɪɡ/ UK /pɪɡ/ · US /pɪɡ/
A short i CVC word (ɪ) in the animals category. It belongs to the -ig word family.
animalsHear pig
Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.
How to Say “pig”
Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /p/ – /ɪ/ – /ɡ/ → pig.
Example Sentences with Pig
- The pig rolled in mud.
- Guinea pig.
- The pig is pink.
- A pig sniffs the ground.
- The piglet follows its mother.
How to Spell “pig”
Children most often write this word as big, pih, pgi. Those errors are useful — each one points to a specific sound the child has not yet connected to a letter.
- The "i" is short /ɪ/ — the same sound as in pin, sit and fish.
- Say the first and last sounds, then let the child supply the middle one.
- Add a dot above the "i" as a visual reminder to keep it short.
Phonics Tip for Pig
Short i /ɪ/ often gets stretched into a long "ee". Anchor it by comparing "pig" with "big" and "fig" — all three have the same short vowel.
Fun Facts About Pig
Pigs are unusually intelligent animals. They can use mirrors to find food, and studies show they are among the few non-human species that can recognise individual humans.
More Words in the -ig Family
Words that rhyme with pig and end with the same sounds:
Related CVC Words
More words with the short i sound that have their own picture guide:
Other Word Families
Move between families:
Where to Practise Pig
- All short i CVC words — 52 words
- The -ig word family
- CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
- CVC multiple choice quiz
- CVC sentences — read the word in context
- CVC worksheets