If you’ve ever wondered how to pronounce ch in English, you’re not alone! The tricky thing about ch is that it doesn’t always sound the same. In fact, there are three common ways to pronounce it, which often confuse ESL and EFL learners. This guide will walk you through the rules for each ch sound, with clear explanations and plenty of real examples to help you practise and get it right every time.
What Are the 3 ‘Ch’ Sounds in English?
When learning how to pronounce ch in English, it’s important to know that this two-letter combination can make three different sounds. Each sound appears in different types of words, which is why it can be confusing for ESL and EFL learners.
Here are the three ch sounds you need to know:
-
/tʃ/ – the most common, like in chair, cheese, and chocolate
-
/k/ – found in some Greek-based words, like in school, character, and chemistry
-
/ʃ/ – used in French loanwords, like in chef, machine, and brochure
Read on, and I’ll tell you when to use each sound, easy rules for remembering them and plenty of examples to help you practise.
When ‘Ch’ is Pronounced /tʃ/
The most common way to pronounce ‘ch’ in English is as the sound /tʃ/, like in church. This is the pronunciation you’ll hear in most native English words.
Here are some examples of words where ‘ch’ is pronounced /tʃ/:
church, cheese, child, lunch, chair, chocolate, choose, cheek, chicken, chop
How To Pronounce /tʃ/
When ‘ch’ is pronounced as /tʃ/, it makes the same sound as the beginning of the word chair or cheese. It sounds like a ‘chuh’ sound. It’s like a quick combination of a ‘t’ and an ‘sh’ sound.
To pronounce it:
-
Place the tip of your tongue just behind your top front teeth, like you would for t.
-
Build up a little air pressure behind your tongue.
-
Release the air with a short, sharp shhh burst.
It should sound like: church, child, lunch, teacher.
Rules for /tʃ/
- In general, when a word comes from Old English or is a standard native English word, ‘ch’ is pronounced /tʃ/. This is the most familiar and natural pronunciation for most learners.
- Most native English words, especially short, everyday vocabulary, use /tʃ/.
- Words that refer to people, objects, or actions in ordinary life are usually /tʃ/.
- When in doubt, assume ‘ch’ = /tʃ/, unless you recognise it as a word from French, Greek, or Italian (which often use /ʃ/ or /k/ instead).
When ‘Ch’ is Pronounced /k/
The ‘ch’ can also be pronounced as /k/, which is much less common than the /tʃ/ sound.
This pronunciation usually appears in words borrowed from Greek. Many of these are academic, scientific, or technical terms.
For example: school, character, chemistry, echo, orchestra, mechanic, architect, chaos, ache, chorus.
How To Pronounce /k/
Sometimes, the letters ‘ch’ are pronounced as a hard /k/ sound instead of the usual /tʃ/. To make this sound, simply pronounce it like the letter ‘k’, with no extra ‘h’ or ‘chuh’ sound.
In each of these, just say the /k/ clearly: school (not school with a ‘ch’), chaos (not cha-hos), and so on.
So, when you see ‘ch’ in words with Greek roots, remember to use the /k/ sound!
Rules for /k/
Here are a few rules to remember:
-
Greek roots: Most words with ‘ch’ pronounced as /k/ have come into English through scientific, academic or technical fields, since these often borrow heavily from Greek. Words like architect, chorus, scheme also follow this pattern.
-
Beginning or middle of the word: The /k/ pronunciation often happens when ‘ch’ is at the start or middle of a word. Examples: chorus, ache, mechanic.
-
Rare at the end of words: It’s unusual for ‘ch’ to sound like /k/ at the end of a word. Words ending in ‘ch’ are almost always /tʃ/, like beach, match.
-
Proper nouns and names: Many names and proper nouns of Greek or Latin origin also use /k/. For example: Chloe, Christopher, Christina.
-
Exceptions exist: English is full of exceptions, so it’s good practice to check pronunciation when learning new words.
By remembering these patterns, you’ll have a better chance of pronouncing ‘ch’ correctly when it shows up as /k/.
When ‘Ch’ is Pronounced /ʃ/
Sometimes, the letters ‘ch’ are pronounced as /ʃ/, which is the same sound as sh in ship. This pronunciation is less common in English and usually comes from words borrowed from French.
Here are some common words where ‘ch’ is pronounced /ʃ/:
chef, champagne, machine, parachute, brochure, moustache, cliché, cache, crochet, chauffeur
How To Pronounce /ʃ/
Sometimes, the letters ‘ch’ are pronounced as a soft /ʃ/ sound instead of the usual /tʃ/. To make this sound, pronounce it like the ‘sh’ sound you hear in ‘she’, gentle and smooth.
So, when you see ‘ch’ in words of French origin, remember to use the /ʃ/ sound!
Rules for /ʃ/
The /ʃ/ sound, like the “sh” in she, is the least common way to pronounce ‘ch’ in English. It usually appears in words borrowed from French. These words kept their original French-style pronunciation when they entered English.
There isn’t a strict rule to predict this sound – it mostly comes down to learning and recognising these words as you see them. Luckily, there aren’t too many!
Some examples include:
chef, champagne, machine, moustache, parachute, brochure, cliché, charade, crochet, chute
When you see a word that looks French or is often used in cooking, fashion, or culture, it may well use the /ʃ/ sound. Over time, you’ll start to recognise these words naturally.
Tips for Remembering the ‘Ch’ Sounds
The ‘ch’ sounds can feel tricky at first, but here are some easy tips to help you remember which one to use:
-
If the word looks French, it often uses the /ʃ/ sound, like in chef, machine, or parachute.
-
If the word looks Greek, it usually has the /k/ sound, like in school, chaos, or character.
-
Most everyday English words use the usual /tʃ/ sound, like in church, lunch, or teacher.
-
If you see ‘ch’ at the start of a word, it’s usually /tʃ/ — chair, chocolate, chicken.
-
If you see ‘ch’ after a vowel in the middle or end of a word, it’s also usually /tʃ/ — beach, coach, teach.
-
Words from science, history, or technical fields often come from Greek, so they’re more likely to use /k/ — technology, mechanic, archaeology.
-
If a word feels “fancy” or clearly borrowed from another language (often French), try /ʃ/ — champagne, moustache.
And finally — practise and listen! The more you hear and use these words, the quicker you’ll recognise the patterns.
FAQs About the ‘Ch’ Sound
Is ‘ch’ ever silent?
No — in English, ‘ch’ is never silent. It always makes a sound: either /tʃ/, /k/, or /ʃ/, depending on the word.
Why is ‘ch’ sometimes pronounced /k/?
The /k/ sound appears in words of Greek origin, like school, chemistry, and chaos. In Greek, the letter ‘chi’ was pronounced as /k/.
How can I practise the different ‘ch’ sounds?
Make word lists for each sound and practise saying them aloud. Repeat short sentences with each sound and listen to native speakers. You can also use online pronunciation tools and quizzes.
Is ‘ch’ ever pronounced like ‘sh’?
Yes — in some words borrowed from French, ‘ch’ is pronounced /ʃ/, like in chef, champagne, machine, and parachute.
What’s the most common way to pronounce ‘ch’?
The most common pronunciation is /tʃ/, as in church, cheese, and child.
Does American English and British English pronounce ‘ch’ differently?
No — the three main pronunciations (/tʃ/, /k/, /ʃ/) are the same in both British and American English.
Are there any rules for when ‘ch’ is /ʃ/?
Unfortunately, no clear rules exist. It mostly happens in French loanwords, so learning by example is best.
Can ‘ch’ come at the end of a word?
Yes — lunch, match, coach all end with ‘ch’, and it’s usually pronounced /tʃ/ in these cases.
Why is ‘ch’ so confusing?
English has borrowed words from many languages (like French and Greek), so the pronunciation of ‘ch’ changes based on the word’s origin.
Conclusion: Master the ‘Ch’ Sounds
Learning how to pronounce ‘ch’ in English can feel tricky at first, but with a bit of practice, it gets much easier. Remember the three main sounds — /tʃ/ like in church, /k/ like in school, and /ʃ/ like in chef. Keep practising with the examples and rules we’ve covered here, and soon these pronunciations will feel natural. Don’t worry if you make mistakes at the beginning — even native speakers sometimes get caught out!
The more you listen, repeat, and use these words, the more confident you’ll become. Keep at it, and you’ll master the ‘ch’ sounds in no time!
Further Learning: Explore More and Keep Improving
If you found this guide on the ‘ch’ sounds helpful, there’s plenty more waiting for you! On mingle-ish.com, you’ll find loads of other pages packed with easy explanations, examples, and quizzes to help you keep improving your English. Whether you’re practising grammar, idioms, phrasal verbs, or tricky pronunciation, there’s something for everyone.
Why not check out my other pages to test your knowledge and learn even more? Each one is designed to help ESL and EFL learners build confidence and have fun while learning.
Head over now and see what you can master next!