The Problematic German CH: How To Pronounce CH in German (With Examples)

Struggling with the German “ch” sound?

You’re not alone!

Get Germanized made a great video on this topic:

This tricky pronunciation can leave even seasoned language learners scratching their heads.

But fear not!

Whether you’re tackling words like ich or ach, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down the two types of “ch” sounds, walk you through step-by-step pronunciations, and even tackle those pesky “ch” words that start sentences.

Ready to sound more like a native speaker? Let’s dive in and conquer the German “ch” together!

1. Two types of ch in German

The German ch sound comes in two flavors: soft and hard.

This dual nature is what often trips up non-native speakers.

german ch in a german notebook

Let’s take a closer look at each type with more examples.

Soft “ch” examples

GermanEnglish
ichI
michme
Lichtlight
Mädchengirl
Küchekitchen
Milchmilk
Pechbad luck

Hard “ch” examples

GermanEnglish
achoh
Buchbook
Dachroof
lachento laugh
Nachtnight
Kuchencake
Sprachelanguage

Why is this so challenging for non-native speakers?

Well, these sounds don’t really exist in English.

The soft ch in German is close to the “h” in “huge,” but not quite the same. The hard ch in German is even trickier, as it’s produced deep in the throat.

2. How to pronounce the soft German ch

Let’s tackle the soft German ch first.

This sound – the soft German ch – is used after “e,” “i,” “ä,” “ö,” “ü,” and the diminutive suffix “-chen.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide to nailing this sound:

  1. Start by saying the English word “hue.” Feel how your mouth is positioned.
  2. Keep that mouth shape but move your tongue a bit forward.
  3. Raise the middle of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth, but don’t let it touch.
  4. Try to make a sound like you’re trying to blow out a candle very gently.
  5. Feel for a slight friction as the air passes between your tongue and the roof of your mouth.
  6. Practice with the word ich. Start with the “i” sound, then smoothly transition into the soft “ch.”
  7. It should sound a bit like “ihh-hy” but softer and more blended.

It’s all about finesse here. The sound should be light and airy, not forceful or harsh.

Try practicing with words like:

  • Mädchen (girl)
  • Küche (kitchen)
  • Milch (milk)

to get a feel for the soft “ch” in different contexts.

3. How to pronounce the hard German ch

Now for the hard German ch.

This sound occurs after “a,” “o,” “u,” and consonants.

Here’s how to master it:

  1. Begin by saying “ach” as if you’re clearing your throat, but don’t be too aggressive!
  2. Position your mouth as if you’re about to say the “o” in “hot.”
  3. Instead of making the “o” sound, exhale while keeping your throat partially closed.
  4. Feel the air scraping against the back of your throat.
  5. Try the word Bach. Start with the “a” sound, then transition smoothly into the hard “ch.”
  6. It should sound a bit like “bahh-kh” but more fluid and guttural.

Practice with other words like:

  • lachen (to laugh)
  • Nacht (night)
  • Kuchen (cake)

to get comfortable with the sound in different contexts.

Practice makes perfect here (and everywhere else)!

Don’t be discouraged if it feels strange at first – your throat muscles need time to adjust to this new sound!

4. When ch in German is at the beginning of the word

When ch in German appears at the start of a word in German, it’s a whole different ballgame.

In most cases, it’s pronounced like “sh” in English or “k” in words of Greek origin.

Here’s a handy table with more examples:

GermanEnglishPronunciation
ChinaChina“sheena”
ChemieChemistry“kemie”
ChorChoir“kor”
CharakterCharacter“karakter”
ChaosChaos“kaos”
ChampagnerChampagne“shampanyer”
ChirurgSurgeon“kirurg”

These words often have Greek or Latin roots, which is why they break the usual “ch” rules. It’s a bit of a curveball, but once you’re aware of it, you’ll pick it up quickly, we’re sure!

5. Learn the correct pronunciation of the ch sound with Conversation Based Chunking

The German ch can be tough to crack.

The soft “ch” is like “sh” and the hard “ch” is closer to “k”.

The truth is that the best way to learn the German ch is Conversation Based Chunking. This method focuses on the most common German building blocks of the language. Try to use them in your own German conversations, and you’ll nail it!

Learn more about Conversation Based Chunking by clicking this button here:

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