English Pronunciation, Lesson 29 - CH and J Sounds (2024)

EnglishPronunciation, Lesson 29

In English,the CH and J soundsare often studied together because theyare made in the same part of the mouth and pronounced in a similar way.In this lesson, we will learn how to make the voiceless CH sound (China, century) and the voiced J sound (Germany, jump).

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

How to pronounce theCH and J sounds

The voiceless (unvoiced)CHsound(IPAsymbol: tʃ )can be found in English words such as China, child, church, century, watch, and catch.

The voiced Jsound(IPAsymbol: dʒ)can be found in English words such as Germany, large,joy, educate, edge and judge.

Voiced and voiceless sounds

What are voicedand voicelesssounds? Let's review.

In the English language, we use many voiced sounds.That meansthat the vocal cordsvibrate when you say that sound. The J sound is a voicedsound because you use your voice to make the sound.

The CH soundis a voiceless or unvoiced sound because the vocalcords do not vibrate when you make the sound. Instead,you release air out of your mouth to make the sound.

To make the CH and J sounds, air is stopped from leaving your mouth for a short time. The tip of the yourtongue presses against the back of your top teeth to stop air fromleaving your mouth. The sides of your tongue press against the sides of your upper teeth.

You make the CH sound by releasing the stopped air through your teeth. It is similar to the way the T sound is made, but your tongue is further back on the top tooth ridge.

You make the J sound by releasing the air and voicing the sound. It is similar to the way the D sound is made.

Watch this short video from Rachel's English to see how to make the CHsound and the J sound:

Have you watched the video? Good! Now, let's practice these two sounds!

Let's practice!

Practice the voiceless CH sound by sayingthesewords aloud. Remember that the CHsound is not voiced. Your vocal cordsdo not vibrate when you make this sound. Make sure you are only using air tomake the sound.

There are three spellings for the CHsound:ch,tch, andt(+u).

Let's practice these three spellings of this sound!

chspellingThis is the most common way to spellthe CH sound. Ch always makes the CH sound.

• China
• Chinese
• chip
• chat
• church
• pinch
• touch
• teach
• teacher

• catch
• watch
• batch
• itch
• kitchen
• witch
  
  

t(+u) spelling

• century
• spatula

In these words, the CH sound is spelled with the letter T followed by a U. This is not a very common spelling of the CH sound, but it isimportant to know it exists. Most words with the tu spelling, arepronounced with a regular tsound (examples: turn,turkey).

You don't have to memorize every pronunciation rule. You can use a dictionaryor online pronunciation guide to learn the correctpronunciation of each new word.

Now, let's practice the voiced Jsound. Remember to use air and your voice tomake this sound.

There are four spellings of the Jsound:g,dg,j,andd (+u).

Let's practice each spelling.

gspellingWhen the letter G is followed by an Eor an I, it is sometimes pronounced as a J sound.

The g (+i)spelling is often (but not always) pronounced as a hard G sound (examples: girl,gift, give). Here are a few words that are pronunced with the J sound:

• giant
• imagine
• apologize
• giraffe

The g (+e) spelling is usually pronounced as a J sound like in these words:

• Germany
• German
• large
• charge
• age
• gentle

• fudge
• budge
  
  
• bridge
• judge
  
  

jspelling

• judge
• jump
• joy
  
• joke
• eject
• July
• June

When the letter D is followed by the letter U, it is sometimespronounced as a J soundlike in these words:

• educate
• schedule
• procedure
• graduate
• individual

Most words with a du spelling are pronounced with a regularD sound.

Examples:

• during
• reduce
• dust

Remember, you can always use a dictionaryor online pronunciation guide to learn the correctpronunciation of each new word.

Finally,practice the sounds side-by-side

Now say these sentences out loud.

1) Teach the children at the church.

2) The spatula is in the kitchen.

3) We eat cheese and chips on a china plate.

4) The gentle giant jumped for joy!

5) I enjoy eating jam and jelly.

6) The gentleman from Germany had a procedure in June.

7) In July, I will educate the cheerful child in Chinese and German.

8) Just apologize to the teacher for touching the giraffe.

9) The joyful judge ate fudge in the kitchen.

10) Imagine a giant, gentle witch with an itch.

Have you finished this lesson? If you want to review this lesson, youcan returnto the top of the page. Keep practicing the words andsentencesto master these sounds.

Let's move on...

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