Deutsch

German CH Sound — ich-Laut (ç) vs ach-Laut (x)

Learn both German CH sounds: the soft ich-Laut /ç/ and the rough ach-Laut /x/. When to use each one, with practice words.

ç / x

BEISPIELWÖRTER

ich
acht
Kirche
Kuchen
Mädchen

HÄUFIGE FEHLER

  • Using /ʃ/ (sh) instead of /ç/ — 'ich' becomes 'ish'
  • Using /k/ instead of /x/ — 'acht' becomes 'akt'
  • Not distinguishing ich-Laut from ach-Laut

BESONDERS SCHWIERIG FÜR

English speakersSpanish speakersFrench speakers

SCHRITT-FÜR-SCHRITT ÜBUNG

1isolated

ç ç ç

/ç/

Like a soft 'sh' but with your tongue raised toward the hard palate. Think of a cat hissing gently.

2isolated

x x x

/x/

Like clearing your throat gently. The friction is at the back of the mouth, near the soft palate.

3word

ich

/ɪç/

After front vowels (i, e, ü, ö) use the soft ich-Laut.

4word

acht

/axt/

After back vowels (a, o, u) use the rough ach-Laut.

5minimal pair

Kirche — Kuchen

/ˈkɪʁçə / ˈkuːxn̩/

'Kirche' has the soft CH (after front vowel). 'Kuchen' has the rough CH (after back vowel).

6word

Mädchen

/ˈmɛːtçən/

Soft CH after the front vowel — gentle friction.

7short phrase

Ich mache leicht einen Kuchen

/ɪç ˈmaxə laɪ̯çt ˈaɪ̯nən ˈkuːxn̩/

Mix of both CH types — listen to where each one falls.

VERWANDTE ÜBUNGEN

Üben Sie diesen Laut mit KI-Feedback

Nehmen Sie sich auf, erhalten Sie sofortige Analyse und verfolgen Sie Ihren Fortschritt.

Üben starten