The SH sound /ʃ/ is everywhere in English. It's in words like "shoe," "fish," "nation," and "sugar." If you're still figuring out how to make this sound correctly, you're in the right place.
Let's break it down into simple steps.
What Is the SH Sound?
The SH sound (written as /ʃ/ in phonetics) is a soft, continuous sound made by pushing air through a narrow space in your mouth.
It's the sound you make when you want someone to be quiet: "Shhhhh!"
Unlike the CH sound (which is quick and explosive), the SH sound is smooth and can be held for as long as you have breath.
How to Make the SH Sound
Here's what to do with your mouth:
- Push your lips forward and round them slightly, like you're about to kiss someone
- Lift your tongue toward the roof of your mouth, but don't touch it
- Leave a narrow gap between your tongue and the roof of your mouth
- Push air through that gap in a steady stream
The air should flow smoothly over your tongue and out between your lips. You should feel the air on your hand if you hold it in front of your mouth.
Common SH Words
At the beginning:
At the end:
In the middle:
Spelling Patterns for SH
The SH sound doesn't always come from the letters "sh." Here are the different ways to spell it:
SH (the most common)
TI and CI (in the middle of words)
These letters often make the SH sound when followed by another vowel:
CH (in words from French)
S before U
Important Exceptions
Watch out for words where SH letters appear but don't make the SH sound:
Compound Words (S and H from different parts)
In these words, the S and H come from different parts (dis-honest, grass-hopper), so they stay separate.
Common Mistakes
Making It Too Short
SH is a long, continuous sound. Don't chop it off too quickly. You should be able to hold it: "Shhhhhhh."
Practice holding the SH sound for 3 seconds. If you can't, you might be making a different sound.
Confusing SH with CH
This is super common. Remember:
- SH is smooth and continuous (you can hold it)
- CH is quick and explosive (you can't hold it)
Try these pairs:
Tongue Position Too Low
If your SH sounds weak or unclear, your tongue might be too low. Lift it closer to the roof of your mouth (but still not touching).
Practice Sentences
Read these out loud several times:
- She sells seashells by the seashore.
- The fish swims in the ocean near the station.
- I wish to wash my new shirt.
- The shop has fresh fish and special shoes.
- She showed me a national fashion magazine.
Tips for Practice
Listen to the difference: Find audio or videos where native speakers say SH words clearly. Pay attention to how smooth and continuous the sound is.
Feel the air: Hold your hand a few inches from your mouth. When you say SH words, you should feel a steady stream of air hitting your hand.
Use a straw: This sounds weird, but try holding a straw between your lips (like you're about to drink) and make the SH sound. It helps you feel the right lip position.
Mirror practice: Watch yourself in a mirror. Your lips should push forward and get rounder when you make the SH sound.
Start slow: Say SH words very slowly at first, holding the SH sound for a full second or two. Then gradually speed up to normal talking speed.
The SH sound might feel awkward at first, but with regular practice, it'll become automatic. Keep at it!