French pronunciation: Fricatives - /ʃ/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for fricatives - /ʃ/.

Quick tip

Fricatives are made by forcing air through a narrow gap, creating friction.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• chat

• chaud

• chercher

• chose

• chou

Minimal pairs

• chat / sac
• chaud / saut
• cher / ser
• chou / sou
• champ / sans

How to produce this sound

Place your tongue close to the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth, and blow air out, like the 'sh' in 'she'.

Common mix-ups

• chat / sac
• chaud / saut
• cher / ser
• chou / sou
• champ / sans

Closest comparison

she, shop, shoes, shy, shut