21 December 2025
Why is it so hard to say “church” and “cherry” in German?
Confusing Words: Kirsche and Kirche - These two German words mean “cherry” and “church”, respectively, and are often difficult for learners of German to pronounce correctly or to differentiate.
Sound it Out
The “sch” in Kirsche (“cherry”) is pronounced just like an English “sh” - as in “fish”, “shawl”, “show”, “sheer”, etc.
The ch in Kirche (church) is /ç/, the soft ch sound. Many English speakers do not use it as a separate sound, though some have a similar sound at the start of “huge” or “human.” It’s also found in the important German words ich, mich, dich, Gesicht, Gericht, etc.
K, sh and the throatier ch of Bach are different sounds. To distinguish Kirche from Kirsche, practice the soft ch /ç/ with these tips.
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Some English speakers use a similar sound at the start of “huge” and “human”; this comparison depends on your accent.
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Try whispering “yes” without the s. Keep the front of your tongue raised toward the hard palate, leaving a narrow gap for the air.
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Let air pass through that gap without vibrating your vocal cords. Contrast ich /ɪç/ with the sh sound in Kirsche /ˈkɪʁʃə/.
Up for another important German word? Do you know how to say toilet in German, for example?
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