Mastering CH Pronunciation in German

September 5, 2022

There are two ways to pronounce the CH in German - a soft sound and a guttural sound. The sounds are like this:

The guttural sound is made when CH comes after specific vowels – A, O, U, and the vowel combination AU. After any other vowel or vowel combination, CH makes the soft sound.

Neither pronunciation has an equivalent sound in English. However, with practice, you can learn how to pronounce CH in German.

1. Why is the CH sound in German important?

In fact, the CH combination shows up in more than 10% of the most frequently used words in German. Want to talk about yourself using the words “I” or “me?” You'll need the German CH. Want to wish someone “Good night?” You’ll need the German CH.

In addition to being frequently used, the CH contributes to the unique sound and feel of the German language. This is because neither CH pronunciation has an equivalent sound in English. So, when you correctly pronounce CH, you are one step closer to sounding like a native German speaker.

2. How do I make the soft CH sound in German?

The soft CH sound is more like a soft k. Open up your airway to let more sound out.

The soft sound is the more common of the two CH pronunciations.

The soft CH is often called the ich sound, as the important word ich contains the soft CH sound. In addition to the word ich, you can hear the soft CH in many important words:

The soft ich sound does not exist in English, so here are some tips to help you produce this sound. Experiment with each of these tips, and see which one works best for you:

• Make the sound of a hissing cat
• Make a giggling sound, and then try whispering it
• Think of the beginning sound in the English word “human” but exaggerate it

3. How do I make the guttural CH sound in German?

The second CH pronunciation, called the ach sound, is more of a guttural sound. Some people say this sound contributes to the perception of German as a harsh-sounding language, but we think it’s fun to make this sound.

The guttural ach sound is also very important, occurring in many high-frequency words:

The guttural ach sound does not exist in English, so here’s a fun tip to help you produce this unique sound

• Pretend that something is stuck in your throat, and try to cough it up

4. How do I know which CH pronunciation to use?

With a sense of how to make both CH sounds, you are well on your way to mastering this important letter combination.

Now, you may be wondering – When should I try hissing like a cat versus clearing my throat? Well, if that question makes sense to you, then welcome to the club! You must be a true German learner.

To determine which CH pronunciation to go with, follow this general rule of thumb. The guttural ach sound is made following certain vowels in a word. Specifically, when CH comes after the vowels A, O, or U (without umlauts), and also after the vowel combination AU – make the guttural ach sound. When CH comes after any other vowel or vowel combination (and after any consonant except S), go with the soft ich sound.

With practice, you will begin to develop a feel for what sounds right.

5. Can you hear the difference between the two CH sounds?

6. Do any other letters make the same sound as CH?

Yes! Your ability to produce the soft ich sound will help you conquer another letter combination in German.

In standard Northern German pronunciation, when the letters IG occur at the END of a word, they will make the soft ich sound. See if you can hear the soft CH sound at the end of these words:

7. Does CH make any sounds other than the soft and guttural sounds?

Yes! Although the soft ich and guttural ach pronunciations are the most common sounds for CH, you will hear a couple different CH pronunciations in specific cases.

SCH Letter Combination

Remember how we said to make the soft sound for CH after every consonant except S? Here’s why. In the majority of cases, the letters SCH combine to make the “sh” sound as in the English word “sheep.”

See if you can hear the “sh” sound in these SCH words:

CH Loan Words

This “sh” sound for CH will be heard in another situation. Specifically, in loan words (meaning words originally from another language), the CH will generally make the “sh” sound as in the English word “sheep.”

Listen for the “sh” sound in this loan word:

CHS Letter Combination

When CH is used in the letter combination CHS, the three letters combine to make the “x” sound as in the English word “fox.”

See if you can hear the “x” sound in these CHS words:

8. How can I improve my pronunciation of the German CH?

With practice, you can learn to make these distinctive CH sounds which are so important in German.

1. Listen for the CH used in conversation around you. When you hear the sound, see if you can identify which CH pronunciation was used. Think about why that pronunciation was used in this case. Try to repeat the word out loud (if the setting permits) or silently to yourself.
2. Keep a list of the CH words you encounter throughout your day. Reserve a set time to work with these words, listening to them and trying to refine the pronunciation.
3. Get feedback on your pronunciation to improve: Try the interactive Pronunciation Series in Kleo, featuring Feli from Germany and top German experts. In these interactive video lessons, you can receive real-time feedback on your pronunciation and keep working at it until you get it just right.
4. Practice the CH sound in context: The best way to build muscle memory is by using new sounds in real-life situations. It can be difficult to get this opportunity on a regular basis. Fortunately, some of Kleo’s most popular interactive video lessons prominently feature the CH sound. This is a great way to practice speaking German in context.

9. What are other German sounds that do not exist in English?

Since the two CH pronunciations do not exist in English, working to master these sounds is challenging and rewarding. There are more German sounds that do not have an equivalent in English.

For example, the U umlaut (Ü) makes the sound like you've smelled something unpleasant. Also, the O umlaut (Ö) makes the sound like you're disgusted. Fun, right? You can practice all of these in Kleo's interactive Pronunciation Series.