The consonant sound /ʃ/ is known as the “sh” sound, like in the words she, shoe, and shy. It’s a soft, smooth sound that comes up often in English. For many learners, it can be tricky to distinguish it from other similar sounds, such as /s/ or /ʒ/. In this lesson, we’ll explore how to pronounce /ʃ/, common spelling patterns, and useful word lists to help you practice with confidence.
The Consonant Sound /ʃ/
What Is the /ʃ/ Sound?
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IPA Symbol: /ʃ/
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Name: Voiceless postalveolar fricative
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Voicing: Voiceless (your vocal cords do not vibrate)
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Mouth Position: Tongue close to the roof of the mouth behind the alveolar ridge; lips slightly rounded
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Airflow: Continuous stream of air through a narrow space, creating friction
How to Pronounce /ʃ/
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Raise your tongue close to the roof of your mouth, just behind your upper teeth.
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Round your lips slightly.
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Push air out gently—do not use your voice or vibrate your vocal cords.
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You should hear a soft sound like shhhhh.
Now, listen to the audio to hear the /ʃ/ sound and how it is pronounced in the word shop.
Your throat should not vibrate — this makes it different from /ʒ/ (like in “measure”).
Common Spellings for /ʃ/
The /ʃ/ sound is spelled in several different ways in English. Here are the most common:
| Spelling | Examples | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| sh | she, ship, shy, shower | /ʃiː/, /ʃɪp/, /ʃaɪ/, /ˈʃaʊər/ |
| ti | nation, patient, motion | /ˈneɪʃən/, /ˈpeɪʃənt/, /ˈmoʊʃən/ |
| ci | special, official, magician | /ˈspɛʃəl/, /əˈfɪʃəl/, /məˈdʒɪʃən/ |
| ssi | mission, passion | /ˈmɪʃən/, /ˈpæʃən/ |
| ch | machine, chef | /məˈʃiːn/, /ʃɛf/ |
Tongue Twisters for /ʃ/ Sound Practice
Try saying these aloud slowly and clearly:
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She sells shiny shoes in the shop.
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Don’t rush, just brush your teeth.
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The special station is near the ocean.
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I need to finish the mission today.
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Fresh fish were lying on the dish.
Words with the Consonant Sound /ʃ/
Words with /ʃ/ Sound at the Beginning
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| she | /ʃiː/ |
| shoe | /ʃuː/ |
| shop | /ʃɑːp/ |
| short | /ʃɔːrt/ |
| show | /ʃoʊ/ |
| shine | /ʃaɪn/ |
| ship | /ʃɪp/ |
| shout | /ʃaʊt/ |
| shy | /ʃaɪ/ |
| shut | /ʃʌt/ |
| shark | /ʃɑːrk/ |
| shell | /ʃɛl/ |
| sharp | /ʃɑːrp/ |
| shape | /ʃeɪp/ |
| share | /ʃɛr/ |
| shake | /ʃeɪk/ |
| sheet | /ʃiːt/ |
| chef | /ʃɛf/ |
| shoulder | /ˈʃoʊldər/ |
| shadow | /ˈʃædoʊ/ |
| shoot | /ʃuːt/ |
| shelf | /ʃɛlf/ |
| shock | /ʃɑːk/ |
| shrug | /ʃrʌɡ/ |
| shrub | /ʃrʌb/ |
| shave | /ʃeɪv/ |
| shiver | /ˈʃɪvər/ |
| champagne | /ʃæmˈpeɪn/ |
| chic | /ʃiːk/ |
| sham | /ʃæm/ |
| shatter | /ˈʃætər/ |
| shallow | /ˈʃæloʊ/ |
| shabby | /ˈʃæbi/ |
| shimmer | /ˈʃɪmər/ |
| sure | /ʃʊr/ |
| sugar | /ˈʃʊɡər/ |
| shepherd | /ˈʃɛpərd/ |
| shelter | /ˈʃɛltər/ |
| should | /ʃʊd/ |
| shoelace | /ˈʃuːleɪs/ |
| shoemaker | /ˈʃuːˌmeɪkər/ |
| shirt | /ʃɜːrt/ |
| shifting | /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/ |
| shining | /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/ |
| shutout | /ˈʃʌtaʊt/ |
| shot | /ʃɑːt/ |
| shooter | /ˈʃuːtər/ |
| shelterless | /ˈʃɛltərləs/ |
| shameless | /ˈʃeɪmləs/ |
| shocker | /ˈʃɑːkər/ |
| showdown | /ˈʃoʊdaʊn/ |
| shortcut | /ˈʃɔːrtkʌt/ |
| shoreline | /ˈʃɔːrlaɪn/ |
| sheep | /ʃiːp/ |
| shopper | /ˈʃɑːpər/ |
| shortage | /ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ/ |
| shouting | /ˈʃaʊtɪŋ/ |
| sheltering | /ˈʃɛltərɪŋ/ |
| shockwave | /ˈʃɑːkweɪv/ |
| shorthand | /ˈʃɔːrthænd/ |
| shoebox | /ˈʃuːbɒks/ |
| shophouse | /ˈʃɒphaʊs/ |
| showtime | /ˈʃoʊtaɪm/ |
| shooting | /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/ |
| shower | /ˈʃaʊər/ |
| showcase | /ˈʃoʊkeɪs/ |
| shuffling | /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/ |
| shipwreck | /ˈʃɪprɛk/ |
| shellfish | /ˈʃɛlfɪʃ/ |
| shareholder | /ˈʃɛrˌhoʊldər/ |
| sheeplike | /ˈʃiːpˌlaɪk/ |
| sheetrock | /ˈʃiːtrɑːk/ |
| shepherdess | /ˈʃɛpərdɪs/ |
| shockproof | /ˈʃɑːkpruːf/ |
| sharpening | /ˈʃɑːrpənɪŋ/ |
| shapeless | /ˈʃeɪpləs/ |
| shadeless | /ˈʃeɪdləs/ |
| shivering | /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/ |
| sharpener | /ˈʃɑːrpənər/ |
| shadowing | /ˈʃædoʊɪŋ/ |
| shielding | /ˈʃiːldɪŋ/ |
| shoutout | /ˈʃaʊtaʊt/ |
| shorthair | /ˈʃɔːrthɛr/ |
| shipmate | /ˈʃɪpmeɪt/ |
| shelf-life | /ˈʃɛlflaɪf/ |
| shamrock | /ˈʃæmrɑːk/ |
| showgirl | /ˈʃoʊɡɜːrl/ |
| shopkeeper | /ˈʃɑːpkiːpər/ |
| shoutproof | /ˈʃaʊtpruːf/ |
| sharpened | /ˈʃɑːrpənd/ |
| shockload | /ˈʃɑːkloʊd/ |
| shepherding | /ˈʃɛpərdɪŋ/ |
| sheepskin | /ˈʃiːpskɪn/ |
| shootingstar | /ˈʃuːtɪŋˌstɑːr/ |
| shopfront | /ˈʃɒpfrʌnt/ |
| showbiz | /ˈʃoʊbɪz/ |
| shutdown | /ˈʃʌtdaʊn/ |
Words with /ʃ/ Sound in the Middle
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| machine | /məˈʃiːn/ |
| fashion | /ˈfæʃən/ |
| ocean | /ˈoʊʃən/ |
| patient | /ˈpeɪʃənt/ |
| nation | /ˈneɪʃən/ |
| pressure | /ˈprɛʃər/ |
| special | /ˈspɛʃəl/ |
| station | /ˈsteɪʃən/ |
| decision | /dɪˈsɪʒən/ |
| mission | /ˈmɪʃən/ |
| edition | /ɪˈdɪʃən/ |
| vacation | /vəˈkeɪʃən/ |
| magician | /məˈdʒɪʃən/ |
| discussion | /dɪˈskʌʃən/ |
| confession | /kənˈfɛʃən/ |
| musician | /mjuˈzɪʃən/ |
| suspicion | /səˈspɪʃən/ |
| technician | /tɛkˈnɪʃən/ |
| cashier | /kæˈʃɪr/ |
| brochure | /broʊˈʃʊr/ |
| tissue | /ˈtɪʃuː/ |
| official | /əˈfɪʃəl/ |
| initial | /ɪˈnɪʃəl/ |
| judicial | /dʒuˈdɪʃəl/ |
| beneficial | /ˌbɛnəˈfɪʃəl/ |
| ambitious | /æmˈbɪʃəs/ |
| delicious | /dɪˈlɪʃəs/ |
| cautious | /ˈkɔːʃəs/ |
| gracious | /ˈɡreɪʃəs/ |
| spacious | /ˈspeɪʃəs/ |
| precious | /ˈprɛʃəs/ |
| ferocious | /fəˈroʊʃəs/ |
| unconscious | /ʌnˈkɒnʃəs/ |
| nutritious | /nuˈtrɪʃəs/ |
| malicious | /məˈlɪʃəs/ |
| fictitious | /fɪkˈtɪʃəs/ |
| infectious | /ɪnˈfɛkʃəs/ |
| definitions | /ˌdɛfəˈnɪʃənz/ |
| transitions | /trænˈzɪʃənz/ |
| emissions | /ɪˈmɪʃənz/ |
| relations | /rɪˈleɪʃənz/ |
| nationality | /ˌnæʃəˈnælɪti/ |
| specialist | /ˈspɛʃəlɪst/ |
| partnership | /ˈpɑːrtnərʃɪp/ |
| membership | /ˈmɛmbərʃɪp/ |
| scholarship | /ˈskɒlərʃɪp/ |
| worshiping | /ˈwɜːrʃɪpɪŋ/ |
| dictatorship | /ˌdɪkˈteɪtərʃɪp/ |
| leadership | /ˈliːdərʃɪp/ |
| relationship | /rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/ |
| internship | /ˈɪntɜːrnʃɪp/ |
| readership | /ˈriːdərʃɪp/ |
| companionship | /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/ |
| hardship | /ˈhɑːrdʃɪp/ |
| courtship | /ˈkɔːrtʃɪp/ |
| championship | /ˈtʃæmpiənʃɪp/ |
| dealership | /ˈdiːlərʃɪp/ |
| ownership | /ˈoʊnərʃɪp/ |
| apprenticeship | /əˈprɛntɪʃɪp/ |
| mentorship | /ˈmɛntɔːrʃɪp/ |
| marshes | /ˈmɑːrʃɪz/ |
| finishes | /ˈfɪnɪʃɪz/ |
| tarnished | /ˈtɑːrnɪʃt/ |
| banishing | /ˈbænɪʃɪŋ/ |
| publishing | /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/ |
| polishing | /ˈpɒlɪʃɪŋ/ |
| punishing | /ˈpʌnɪʃɪŋ/ |
| nourishing | /ˈnɜːrɪʃɪŋ/ |
| finishing | /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/ |
| vanishing | /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/ |
| establishing | /ɪˈstæblɪʃɪŋ/ |
| embellishing | /ɛmˈbɛlɪʃɪŋ/ |
| abolishing | /əˈbɒlɪʃɪŋ/ |
| punishes | /ˈpʌnɪʃɪz/ |
| nourishes | /ˈnɜːrɪʃɪz/ |
| tarnishes | /ˈtɑːrnɪʃɪz/ |
| astonishes | /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪz/ |
| demolishes | /dɪˈmɒlɪʃɪz/ |
| replenishes | /rɪˈplɛnɪʃɪz/ |
| banishes | /ˈbænɪʃɪz/ |
Words with /ʃ/ Sound at the End
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| ash | /æʃ/ |
| bash | /bæʃ/ |
| cash | /kæʃ/ |
| clash | /klæʃ/ |
| crash | /kræʃ/ |
| dash | /dæʃ/ |
| flash | /flæʃ/ |
| gash | /ɡæʃ/ |
| hash | /hæʃ/ |
| lash | /læʃ/ |
| mash | /mæʃ/ |
| rash | /ræʃ/ |
| slash | /slæʃ/ |
| splash | /splæʃ/ |
| trash | /træʃ/ |
| brush | /brʌʃ/ |
| blush | /blʌʃ/ |
| crush | /krʌʃ/ |
| flush | /flʌʃ/ |
| hush | /hʌʃ/ |
| push | /pʊʃ/ |
| rush | /rʌʃ/ |
| slush | /slʌʃ/ |
| squish | /skwɪʃ/ |
| swish | /swɪʃ/ |
| fish | /fɪʃ/ |
| dish | /dɪʃ/ |
| wish | /wɪʃ/ |
| finish | /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ |
| vanish | /ˈvænɪʃ/ |
| relish | /ˈrɛlɪʃ/ |
| punish | /ˈpʌnɪʃ/ |
| perish | /ˈpɛrɪʃ/ |
| flourish | /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/ |
| tarnish | /ˈtɑːrnɪʃ/ |
| demolish | /dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/ |
| astonish | /əˈstɒnɪʃ/ |
| banish | /ˈbænɪʃ/ |
| polish | /ˈpɒlɪʃ/ |
| refurbish | /riːˈfɜːbɪʃ/ |
| abolish | /əˈbɒlɪʃ/ |
| outfish | /aʊtˈfɪʃ/ |
| starfish | /ˈstɑːrfɪʃ/ |
| selfish | /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/ |
| unselfish | /ʌnˈsɛlfɪʃ/ |
| childish | /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/ |
| foolish | /ˈfuːlɪʃ/ |
| stylish | /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/ |
| brutish | /ˈbruːtɪʃ/ |
| ticklish | /ˈtɪklɪʃ/ |
| squeamish | /ˈskwiːmɪʃ/ |
| lavish | /ˈlævɪʃ/ |
| outlandish | /ˌaʊtˈlændɪʃ/ |
| outcrash | /ˌaʊtˈkræʃ/ |
| reestablish | /ˌriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/ |
| disestablish | /ˌdɪsɪˈstæblɪʃ/ |
| prefinish | /ˌpriːˈfɪnɪʃ/ |
| refinish | /ˌriːˈfɪnɪʃ/ |
| overpunish | /ˌoʊvərˈpʌnɪʃ/ |
| republish | /ˌriːˈpʌblɪʃ/ |
| embellish | /ɛmˈbɛlɪʃ/ |
| establish | /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ |
| extinguish | /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ |
| anguish | /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ |
| vanquish | /ˈvæŋkwɪʃ/ |
| outpush | /ˌaʊtˈpʊʃ/ |
| ambush | /ˈæmbʊʃ/ |
| goldfish | /ˈɡoʊldfɪʃ/ |
| bluefish | /ˈbluːfɪʃ/ |
| dogfish | /ˈdɒɡfɪʃ/ |
| catfish | /ˈkætfɪʃ/ |
| crayfish | /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/ |
| shellfish | /ˈʃɛlfɪʃ/ |
| stonefish | /ˈstəʊnfɪʃ/ |
| swordfish | /ˈsɔːrdfɪʃ/ |
| hawkish | /ˈhɔːkɪʃ/ |
| bookish | /ˈbʊkɪʃ/ |
| freakish | /ˈfriːkɪʃ/ |
| skirmish | /ˈskɜːrmɪʃ/ |
| blemish | /ˈblɛmɪʃ/ |
| cherish | /ˈtʃɛrɪʃ/ |
| nourish | /ˈnɜːrɪʃ/ |
| refurnish | /ˌriːˈfɜːrnɪʃ/ |
| burnish | /ˈbɜːrnɪʃ/ |
| furnish | /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/ |
| resurface | /riːˈsɜːfɪʃ/ |
| backslash | /ˈbækslæʃ/ |
| whiplash | /ˈwɪplæʃ/ |
| backlash | /ˈbæklæʃ/ |
| headcrash | /ˈhɛdkræʃ/ |
| sidesplash | /ˈsaɪdsplæʃ/ |
| brainwash | /ˈbreɪnwɒʃ/ |
| whitewash | /ˈwaɪtwɒʃ/ |
| mouthwash | /ˈmaʊθwɒʃ/ |
| carwash | /ˈkɑːrwɒʃ/ |
| brandish | /ˈbrændɪʃ/ |