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SH vs CH sounds

SH is a continuous hiss you can hold indefinitely; CH begins with a brief T closure before releasing into that same hiss. Say shoe then chew and feel the tongue tap at the start of the second. French and Portuguese speakers commonly flatten CH to SH.

Accent

15 words · intermediate · your accent and voice are remembered across the site. More options on the settings page.

The words

ship
chip
share
chair
shoe
chew
wash
watch
cash
catch
sheep
cheap
shop
chop
dish

More lists like this

NG sound words
The single nasal sound in sing, long and thinking. Not an N plus a G. Hear where the G disappears.
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Voiced TH words
The buzzing TH in this, that and mother. Feel your vocal cords vibrate on every one of these.
15
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Voiceless TH words
The soft breathy TH in think, three and mouth. No vocal cord buzz, just airflow over the tongue.
15
Show the 15 words

R vs L minimal pairs
Rice or lice, right or light. Hear the R and L contrast that trips up many learners, pair by pair.
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V vs W minimal pairs
Vest or west, vine or wine. Practise the lip position that separates English V from W.
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S vs Z sounds
Sip or zip, price or prize. The only difference is voicing, and it changes the word completely.
15
Show the 15 words

Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.