Learn how to pronounce the words cheek, chick, and check with this American English Pronunciation Lesson.

Definitions:

CHEEK is the side of the face

CHECK is to examine or verify

CHICK is a young bird or slang for a young woman

These words are pronounced:

/ʧik ʧɪk ʧɛk/.

Sentence:

Wipe your cheek before you ask for the check. You have some of the chocolate chick from dessert on your face.

Transcript:

Hello everyone Jennifer from Tarle speech with your question of the week. Our question today is about three words
check which is to examine or verify
chick which is a young bird or slang for a young woman and
cheek the side of the face

So let’s take a look at our words. Okay all of these words start and end with the same sound so let’s get that out of the way.
For the ch sound start by touching the tip of your tongue to the back of your top front teeth and then pull it back for that ch ch ch ch ch ch
Then for the k sound the tip of your tongue is way low in your mouth the back of your tongue is pulled high up sometimes it even touches the roof of your mouth and air is just going to puff out K K.
So again we have CH and K.
Now for the vowels I put the words in this order on purpose we are going to start with a relatively closed mouth for the e your tongue is going to be nice and high and flat for that sound e e your lips are tense and smiling. You are going to relax your lips slightly and your tongue is going to pop down just behind the top front teeth. So we have eeeee ih

and then you’re going to open your mouth slightly and then you’re going to see the tip of your tongue between your top and your bottom teeth eh
ee
ih
eh
ee
ih
eh

And your tongue is going to remain relatively flat for all of these sounds but again the difference here is super high for the e with the tense mouth
relax the mouth ih ih
open the mouth slightly eh

Let’s give those words a try
cheek cheek cheek
chick chick chick
check check check
cheek chick check
cheek chick check

And let’s try it the opposite way
check chick cheek
check chick cheek
One more time
cheek cheek cheek
chick chick chick
check check check
cheek chick check
And now for a sentence
Wipe your cheek before you ask for the check. You have some of the chocolate chick from dessert on your face.

So give it a try I know people are going to notice the difference if you found this helpful we would love it if you would share us with your friends and leave us a comment if you’re looking for more help check us out on Tarle speech for our classes and products thanks so much everyone have a great weekend!