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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?
IPA Symbol: /ʃ/
Name: Voiceless postalveolar fricative
Voicing: Voiceless (your vocal cords do not vibrate)
Mouth Position: Tongue close to the roof of the mouth behind the alveolar ridge; lips slightly rounded
Airflow: Continuous stream of air through a narrow space, creating friction
How to Pronounce /ʃ/
Raise your tongue close to the roof of your mouth, just behind your upper teeth.
Round your lips slightly.
Push air out gently—do not use your voice or vibrate your vocal cords.
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:
She sells shiny shoes in the shop.
Don’t rush, just brush your teeth.
The special station is near the ocean.
I need to finish the mission today.
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/ |
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