CH vs SH Pronunciation: English tʃ and ʃ Sounds Explained
Where is the sound made?
Cheap Watch /ch/
- The tip of your tongue presses lightly against the alveolar ridge (the bony ridge behind your top front teeth), almost like the /t/ sound but slightly further back.
- The sides of your tongue press against your upper back teeth to seal in the air.
Shiny Fish /sh/
- The tip of your tongue is pulled slightly back behind the ridge — not touching it.
- The sides of your tongue lightly touch the inside edges of your upper back teeth.
For both sounds, your lips are gently rounded — not a tight circle, just a soft, relaxed rounding.
How does the air flow?
- Cheap Watch /ch/ is a Stop consonant. Airflow is blocked as the tongue holds pressure, then released in a quick burst.
- Shiny Fish /sh/ is a Continuous consonant. The air flows smoothly and steadily.
Do I use my voice?
- /ch/ and /sh/ are both voiceless — only quiet, steady air moves through your mouth. No buzzing. No vibration.
For Cheap Watch /ch/
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Substituting the continuous Shiny Fish /sh/, so chip sounds like ship
For Shiny Fish /sh/
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Substituting /s/, so shoe sounds like sue
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Substituting the stop Cheap Watch /ch/, so shop sounds like chop
Cheap Watch /ch/ & Shiny Fish /sh/ Training
The following exercises combine listening, shadowing, and gradually increasing complexity to help you internalize new sounds and rhythm patterns in your spoken English.
Level 1 is available to all visitors. CEA members unlock the complete training.
Goal: Hear and produce the Cheap Watch /ch/ & Shiny Fish /sh/ sounds clearly in at the beginning of words and syllables.
1) Say each word slowly and clearly.
Focus on the difference in airflow:
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/ch/ begins with a stop — the tongue blocks the air, then releases.
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/sh/ flows continuously — no stopping, no burst.
2) Record yourself the listen back. Ask yourself:
- Does my /ch/ & /sh/ sound clear and distinct?
- Am I avoiding substituting one sound for the other?
- Can I hear the difference as well as feel it?
Mini Challenge: “Flood” each column. Say all the /ch/ words in a row, then all the /sh/ words. Can you keep the sounds consistent from top to bottom?
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Shiny Fish /sh/
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Cheap Watch /ch/
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shin
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chin
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shoe
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chew
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shop
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chop
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mash
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match
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wish
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witch
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flood these words
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flood these words
Your next step: Become a CEA member and put this into practice with…
Go beyond understanding and start applying. Members unlock guided phrase, sentence, and paragraph practice that helps new sounds settle into your muscle memory and carry over into everyday speech.
Ask questions right inside each lesson and receive clear guidance when something feels confusing—so you can practice with confidence instead of second-guessing.
Apply what you’ve learned through short, realistic speaking prompts that bridge practice and real conversation, helping your voice feel steadier and more intentional.
Each week, you’ll get a simple speaking challenge that encourages you to apply what you’re learning right away.
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