The German "ch" is not one sound — it changes based on which letter comes before it. There are three rules to learn. Once you know them, you'll always get it right.
1
After a, o, u, ausounds like "kh"
When ch follows the vowels a, o, u or the diphthong au, it makes a rough, throaty "kh" sound — like clearing your throat gently.
Hindi speakers — you already know this!
This is exactly the "kh" (ख) sound in Hindi — like in khaana (खाना). If you speak Hindi, you've been making this sound your whole life!
Tap to reveal the meaning. Listen to the throaty "kh" in each word.
1
machen
to make / to do
tap
2
Nacht
night
tap
3
Sprache
language
tap
4
Dach
roof
tap
5
Koch
cook
tap
6
kochen
to cook
tap
7
Buch
book
tap
8
Kuchen
cake
tap
9
auch
also / too
tap
10
Bauch
belly
tap
2
After any other sound sounds like "sh"
When ch follows e, i, ä, ö, ü, ei, eu, äu or a consonant, it makes a soft, airy "sh" sound — like a gentle hiss from the front of your mouth.
Quick rule of thumb
Rule 1 uses back vowels (a, o, u, au) → the sound comes from the back of your throat ("kh"). Rule 2 uses front vowels (e, i, ä, ö, ü, etc.) → the sound comes from the front of your mouth ("sh"). The position of the vowel tells you where to make the "ch"!
Tap to reveal the meaning. Listen to the soft "sh" in each word.
1
ich
I
tap
2
nicht
not
tap
3
Licht
light
tap
4
sprechen
to speak
tap
5
Mädchen
girl
tap
6
Milch
milk
tap
7
Bücher
books
tap
8
Köche
cooks
tap
9
möchte
would like
tap
10
sicher
sure / safe
tap
3
When followed by s (chs) sounds like "ks"
When ch is followed by an s to form "chs", it sounds like "ks" — like the "x" in English "fox". No throat sound, no hiss — just a clean "ks".
Tap to reveal the meaning. Listen to the clean "ks" in each word.
