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German ch pronunciation: the ich and ach sounds
German ch does not always sound the same. Compare the lighter sound in ich and Milch with the sound further back in brauchen and noch. These three A1 sentences use a Germany German reference and give you both patterns inside everyday phrases.
listen to the sentences ↓When does ch use the ich sound?
In standard German, ch after front vowels, as in ich, is made with the tongue raised towards the hard roof of the mouth. Leave room for air to flow rather than closing it off. This is often called the ich sound. It also occurs after consonants in words such as Milch.
Listen to ich and Milch below. Aim for a continuous airflow at the end, rather than the English ch in “chair”, which begins with a brief closure. Say the word once, then read the complete sentence without adding an extra vowel after ch.
When does ch use the ach sound?
After a, o, u and au, ch is usually made further back, with the back of the tongue approaching the soft roof of the mouth. This is the ach sound. In the last recording, brauchen has ch after au and noch has ch after o. Compare them with ich in the first recording.
The preceding sound is a useful clue, not a rule for every spelling. The ending -chen uses the ich sound, and chs and some borrowed words have other pronunciations. Start with the examples here rather than applying one sound to every written ch.
Hear both ch sounds in three sentences
Play each generated reference and listen to the named word. The practice button opens the same A1 sentence for a full recording and word-by-word feedback.
A1 · Deutsch
Ich mag dieses Lied sehr.
Listen to ch at the end of “ich”. Keep the air moving through the sound, then connect the whole sentence.
A1 · Deutsch
Bitte stell die Milch kalt.
Listen to the ending of “Milch”. Despite the preceding consonant l, this word uses the same ch pattern as “ich”.
A1 · Deutsch
Brauchen Sie noch eine Decke?
Listen to ch in “brauchen” and “noch”. Both are made further back than the sound in “ich”; compare the recordings before repeating.
A short routine to repeat tomorrow
- Listen once for ich and once for brauchen. Notice where the friction seems to come from before trying to copy it.
- Record the first sentence, replay your voice and inspect ich. Then do the same with the sentence containing brauchen.
- Return to Milch. Practise the word, then reconnect it to the sentence without an extra vowel or a pause between every word.
How to read the feedback
Word scores help you choose what to replay. They are automatic measurements, not a certificate of fluency or proof that a particular sound is correct. Listen to your recording as well as the reference; if a sound could not be measured, the tool leaves it unscored.
Further listening and explanation:
Keep practising German
These are a small selection from the library. The German guide directory explains the available regional references and levels.
start with the first sentence