The ch sound in English: /tʃ/
IPA: /tʃ/ · Closest Arabic sound: تاء + شين بسرعة (تش) (تْشْ)
The ch sound explained
One sound that starts with 't' and ends in 'sh' very quickly, like a train: 'ch ch ch'. Not in standard Arabic but familiar from words like 'chips'.
Two letters, one sound (digraphs): Two neighbouring letters make one new sound, such as sh, ch and th.
Words with ch
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Imitate a train 'ch ch', then find three things in the kitchen that start with ch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce ch in English?
One sound that starts with 't' and ends in 'sh' very quickly, like a train: 'ch ch ch'. Not in standard Arabic but familiar from words like 'chips'. The sound is /tʃ/, closest to the Arabic تاء + شين بسرعة (تش).
Which words have ch?
Chair (كرسي), Cheese (جبن), Chicken (دجاجة), Lunch (غداء), Beach (شاطئ), Church (كنيسة).
What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?
In a digraph (like sh and ch) the two letters make one new sound; in a blend (like st and bl) each letter keeps its own sound and they are said quickly one after the other.