If you've ever struggled with words like "church," "chicken," or "teacher," you're working on one of English's most common sounds: the CH sound /tʃ/.
The good news? Once you understand how it works, it's actually pretty straightforward.
What Is the CH Sound?
The CH sound (written as /tʃ/ in phonetics) is actually two sounds happening so fast they feel like one. It's a quick T sound immediately followed by a SH sound.
Think of it like this: T + SH = CH
When you say "chair," you're not saying "t-shair" slowly. You're blending those sounds together into one quick, sharp sound.
How to Make the CH Sound
Here's what your mouth should do:
- Start with your tongue touching the roof of your mouth, right behind your top teeth (just like when you say "T")
- Build up a little air pressure behind your tongue
- Release the air quickly while moving your tongue slightly back
- Round your lips just a bit as the air comes out
The whole thing happens in a split second. It's a short, explosive sound that you can't hold for very long.
Common CH Words
At the beginning:
At the end:
In the middle:
Different Ways to Spell CH
The CH sound doesn't always come from the letters "ch." Here are other spelling patterns:
TCH Pattern
After a short vowel, you'll often see TCH instead of just CH:
TURE Pattern
Many words ending in -ture use the CH sound:
Important Exceptions
Watch out: the letters "CH" don't always make the /tʃ/ sound. Here are the most common exceptions:
CH as /k/ (in words from Greek)
CH as /ʃ/ (in words from French)
Common Mistakes
Saying "SH" Instead of "CH"
Don't say "ship" when you mean "chip." Remember: CH has that quick T sound at the beginning. SH is just air flowing continuously.
Try these pairs:
Forgetting the T Part
Some learners skip the T sound and only say the SH part. But without that quick T, you're just saying SH.
Put your hand in front of your mouth and say "chip." You should feel a burst of air. That's the T part working.
Practice Sentences
Read these out loud a few times:
- The children ate cheese and chocolate for lunch.
- My teacher watches TV in the kitchen.
- I need to check the church pitchure.
- Which chair should I choose?
- The cheap watch doesn't work much.
Tips for Practice
Listen and repeat: Find videos or audio of native speakers saying CH words. Repeat after them, trying to match the sound exactly.
Record yourself: Use your phone to record yourself saying CH words. Compare it to native speakers. Is your CH quick and explosive, or too soft?
Exaggerate at first: When you're learning, make the T part extra clear. Say "t-sh" very deliberately. Once you get comfortable, speed it up until it sounds natural.
Use a mirror: Watch your mouth as you practice. Your lips should push forward slightly, and you should see your tongue move quickly.
The CH sound shows up everywhere in English. Master it, and you'll sound much more natural in everyday conversation.