ch, h, g, and k

ch is one letter and is not English ch. h and ch are different sounds. g is voiced, k is unvoiced, with natural voicing changes in connected speech.

Back-of-mouth sounds

Keep ch separate from h. Then listen for voicing: g is voiced, k is unvoiced, though nearby sounds can influence them.

Clue / sound

Written form

chléb

Note

ch is one Czech letter, rough like Scottish loch.

Clue / sound

Written form

hora

Note

h is voiced and lighter than ch.

Clue / sound

Written form

káva

Note

k is unvoiced.

Clue / sound

Written form

gól

Note

g is voiced.

Clue / sound

k + voiced sound

Written form

kde

Note

Before d, k may sound closer to g in natural speech.

Clue / sound	Written form	Note
ch	chléb	ch is one Czech letter, rough like Scottish loch.
h	hora	h is voiced and lighter than ch.
k	káva	k is unvoiced.
g	gól	g is voiced.
k + voiced sound	kde	Before d, k may sound closer to g in natural speech.