At first, Learning Spanish pronunciation can feel a little intimidating . This is especially true when you come across sounds that do not exist in your native language. One of the most iconic and recognizable consonants in Spanish is “CH.” Whether you see it in words like chico, chocolate, or chaleco, this sound appears frequently in everyday vocabulary, making it essential for all Spanish learners—even at the beginner level.
In this @spanishnowedu complete guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the Spanish CH, including how it is pronounced, how to use it correctly in syllables, and how to train your mouth to produce the sound in a natural and consistent way. You will also find a pronunciation practice section, a full syllable guide, example sentences, and a crossword-style vocabulary activity to reinforce the lesson.
If you are learning Spanish and want to improve your pronunciation step by step, this guide is just perfect for you. Comencemos.
Understanding the Spanish “CH” Sound
The Spanish CH is considered an affricate consonant. Linguistically, it combines two actions:
A stop — your tongue blocks the airflow
A fricative release — the airflow escapes with friction
Together, these create the clear “ch” sound you hear in Spanish.
How CH sounds in Spanish
The Spanish CH sounds like the “ch” in:
chair
cheese
cherry
It is never pronounced like “sh” (as in she), nor like the hard “k” sound (as in the C Spanish pronunciation). The pronunciation is short, sharp, and consistent across all Spanish-speaking countries.
One Ch sound, globally
Unlike other consonants that could change from country to country (see LL pronunciation in Spanish), CH is pronounced the same in nearly all Spanish dialects, including:
- Latin American Spanish
- Mexican Spanish
- Caribbean Spanish
- Andean Spanish
- Rioplatense Spanish
- Castilian Spanish
This makes it one of the easiest consonants to master, all because its sound does not vary by region.
How to Produce the CH Sound Correctly
Here are some recommendations on how to position your mouth when pronouncing the ch in Spanish:
Tongue position when pronouncing ch in Spanish
Touch the tip of your tongue lightly against the ridge behind your upper teeth.
The sides of your tongue touch the upper molars.
Hold the airflow briefly, then release.
Mouth Shape
Slightly rounded lips, similar to saying “choose.”
Jaw relaxed; the sound is created by the tongue, not the lips.
Airflow
Short, quick release of air.
Avoid a long “shhh” sound. In Spanish CH sound is brief.
| English | Spanish |
| “ch” (chair) | CH (chico) |
| not “sh” (shoe) | not used |
| not “k” (cat) | not used |
Spanish CH and vocal Syllables
A letter and one vowel are the foundation of Spanish pronunciation. Actually, there are the easiest ways to get acquainted with new sounds in Spanish learning words. Knowing these, here you have the Spanish syllables with CH and a vocal:
- cha
- che
- chi
- cho
- chu
These syllables always begin with a consistent CH sound. Practicing them repeatedly helps strengthen accuracy and muscle memory.
Spanish “ch”pronunciation video
Let’s try some pronunciation. Below you can find a simple video specially designed to encourage you to repeat as you see. It is all focused on “ch” pronunciation with a vowel in Spanish. Please play the video and try to repeat what it is said as you see it. Do it as many times as you need.
Pronunciation Practice
Below is a guided practice section similar to the structure of your video. Try to read it aloud and listen to your own voice; that way you will get the full benefit.
CHA
Pronunciation: cha
Repeat: cha – cha – cha
Example word: chango (monkey)
Example sentence: El chango salta en el árbol.
CHE
Pronunciation: che
Repeat: che – che – che
Example word: chequeo (check-up)
Example sentence: Necesito hacerme un chequeo médico.
CHI
Pronunciation: chi
Repeat: chi – chi – chi
Example word: chimenea (chimney)
Example sentence: La casa tiene chimenea.
CHO
Pronunciation: cho
Repeat: cho – cho – cho
Example word: choque (crash)
Example sentence: Hubo un choque en la calle.
CHU
Pronunciation: chu
Repeat: chu – chu – chu
Example word: chubasco (rain shower)
Example sentence: El chubasco llegó de repente.
Common Words with CH in Spanish
Here are some high-frequency words in Spanish that use CH. These are perfect for vocabulary building:
- chico (boy)
- muchacho (young man)
- leche (milk)
- noche (night)
- coche (car)
- derecha (right side)
- chica (girl)
- mochila (backpack)
- ocho (eight)
- cuchara (spoon)
- chamarra (jacket)
- chimenea (chimney)
- chicle (gum)
- ancho (wide)
- escuchar (to listen)
These appear often in everyday speech, making CH mastery especially important.
Crossword Activity: Find Words with CH (15-word challenge)
Below is a vocabulary-search-style crossword activity. Find the 15 ch-contained-spanish words; we just revised. Words can be placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
The Spanish CH sound is one of the most recognizable and consistent consonants in the language. Because it never changes pronunciation across regions, it’s an excellent starting point for learners who want to improve their Spanish speaking skills.
Mastering the syllables cha, che, chi, cho, chu helps students become more confident, develop better pronunciation habits, and recognize CH words more easily in real conversations. With repetition, examples, and activities like the crossword included here, learners can train their ears and their pronunciation at the same time.
Whether your goal is to improve your accent, speak more clearly, or simply understand Spanish better, practicing CH is a great step forward. Keep working through the syllables, visit our blog lessons for deeper practice, and continue building a strong Spanish foundation—one sound at a time.
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