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This Dutch lesson teaches the pronunciation of the consonant combinations "sch", "ch", and the letter "g". It explains their distinct sounds with examples like "schip", "licht", and "groot". The lesson highlights pronunciation differences compared to English, focusing on practical words to help beginners learn these important Dutch sounds.
  1. 'sch' rarely occurs at the end of a word.
schschip, schoen, school, misschien, schoorsteen
chlicht, nacht, lachen, gezicht, douche, nachtlamp
ggroot, glas, goed, groen, gordijn

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. De lamp staat naast de _____ in de woonkamer.

(The lamp is next to the _____ in the living room.)

2. Ik _____ de deur voordat ik binnenkom.

(I _____ the door before I come inside.)

3. Het bed staat _____ het raam in de slaapkamer.

(The bed is _____ the window in the bedroom.)

4. Wij _____ het raam omdat het regent.

(We _____ the window because it is raining.)

5. De kast staat naast het _____ in mijn studeerkamer.

(The cabinet is next to the _____ in my study room.)

6. De stoel staat _____ de tafel in de eetkamer.

(The chair is _____ the table in the dining room.)

Pronunciation of "sch", "ch", and "g" in Dutch

This lesson focuses on understanding and practicing the distinctive Dutch sounds represented by the letter combinations sch, ch, and the letter g. These consonants have unique pronunciations that can be challenging for learners, particularly at the beginner (A1) level.

Distinct Sounds

  • sch as in schip, schoen, school – this sound combines a soft 's' with a guttural 'ch'. It rarely appears at the end of words.
  • ch as in licht, nacht, lachen – this represents a fricative sound made at the back of the throat, produced more strongly than the English 'ch' sound.
  • g as in groot, glas, goed – this is a voiced guttural sound, somewhat similar to the Scottish 'loch' but voiced.

Important Highlights

While learning these sounds, pay special attention to pronunciation differences since they may not exist in English. Notice, for example, that sch almost never appears at the end of Dutch words, unlike some English consonant clusters. These subtle differences are important for both speaking clearly and understanding native speakers.

Comparison Between Dutch and English

Dutch guttural sounds like g and ch don't have exact equivalents in standard English. English speakers might substitute a hard "k" or "h" sound, but Dutch pronunciation requires practice. Useful words include gordijn (curtain), nacht (night), and schip (ship), which offer practical contexts to get accustomed to these sounds.

Note that English 'ch' words (like 'church') differ greatly in sound from Dutch ch. Similarly, the Dutch g sound is stronger and voiced unlike the English 'g' in 'go'.

Learning these will improve your Dutch pronunciation significantly and help you be more understandable to native speakers.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Monday, 07/07/2025 18:45