Pronunciation: x – ch

1. Let’s start with ch:

Ch has only one possible sound: Listen

It will always be followed by a vowel:

cha – che – chi – cho – chu: Listen

Examples:

Follow the words: Listen

chato = boring/annoying

chegar = to arrive

chinesa = chinese

cachoeira = waterfall

chutar = to kick

2. Letter x:

X has 4 possible sounds.

(1) One of them is the same as ch:

Follow the words: Listen

mexicano = mexican

xadrez = chess

embaixador = embassador

(2) This sounds like ç, which we have already had a look: Listen

Follow the words: Listen

máximo = maximum

texto = text

(3) This sounds the same as z in Portuguese: Listen

Follow the words: Listen

exame = exam

executivo = executive

(4) Finally, this sounds like ks: Listen

Follow the words: Listen

complexo = complex

tóxico = toxic

táxi = taxi

You may be wondering when you should say ‘ch’, ‘z’, ‘ç’ or ‘ks’ with x. At this stage, there are no rules that are worth focusing our attention on. We suggest that you approach the content above as a general awareness for now and keep noticing how words with x sound.