Dutch for Americans
PHONETICS

Chapter 7: The Dutch "G" and "CH" Sounds

Learning Objectives

  • Master the voiceless velar/uvular fricative /x/
  • Master the voiced velar/uvular fricative /ɣ/
  • Understand when to use each sound

7.1 The Most Famous Dutch Sound

The Dutch “g” is often considered the most challenging sound for English speakers. It’s a guttural sound made in the back of the throat.

IPASpellingDescriptionVoice
/x/ch, g (some positions)Voiceless velar/uvular fricativeNo vibration
/ɣ/gVoiced velar/uvular fricativeVibration

In Standard Dutch (Netherlands):

  • g at the beginning of a word = /ɣ/ (voiced)
  • ch = /x/ (voiceless)
  • g at the end of a word = /x/ (devoiced - see Chapter 8)

7.3 How to Produce /x/ (Voiceless)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Say “k” and notice where your tongue touches the roof of your mouth
  2. Now, instead of making full contact, leave a small gap
  3. Force air through that gap - you should hear friction
  4. It sounds like a soft, throaty “h” or a cat hissing

Alternative Method (Uvular):

  1. Gargle without water
  2. Make the sound higher/drier
  3. No voice vibration

Practice Words:

  • acht /ɑxt/ - eight
  • nacht /nɑxt/ - night
  • lach /lɑx/ - laugh
  • licht /lɪxt/ - light
  • recht /rɛxt/ - right/straight

7.4 How to Produce /ɣ/ (Voiced)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Produce /x/ as above
  2. Now add voice (vibrate your vocal cords)
  3. It should sound like a voiced version of the throaty sound
  4. Feel vibration in your throat

Practice Words:

  • gaan /ɣaːn/ - to go
  • goed /ɣut/ - good
  • geel /ɣeːl/ - yellow
  • groot /ɣroːt/ - big
  • graag /ɣraːx/ - gladly

7.5 Common “G/CH” Words

Everyday Words:

  • goedemorgen /ˌɣudəˈmɔrɣən/ - good morning
  • alsjeblieft /ɑlʃəˈblift/ - please (no g here!)
  • gezellig /ɣəˈzɛləx/ - cozy (untranslatable Dutch concept!)
  • misschien /mɪˈsxin/ - maybe

7.6 Soft G (Southern/Belgian)

In Belgian Dutch and southern Netherlands, a softer “g” /ʝ/ or /ç/ is used:

  • Sounds more like a German “ich” sound
  • More palatal (front of mouth) rather than velar/uvular

While this course focuses on Standard Dutch, be aware you’ll hear this variant.

7.7 Troubleshooting

Problem: Sound is too harsh/grating Solution: Move the constriction slightly forward; don’t force too much air

Problem: Sound is too weak/just sounds like “h” Solution: Narrow the gap; more friction is needed

Problem: Can’t add voice for /ɣ/ Solution: Practice humming, then try to maintain that vibration while making the /x/ shape

Practice Exercises

  1. Minimal Pairs /x/ vs. /k/:

    • lach /lɑx/ (laugh) vs. lak /lɑk/ (lacquer)
    • dicht /dɪxt/ (closed) vs. dit /dɪt/ (this)

  2. Voice Contrast:

    • Practice alternating: /x/ - /ɣ/ - /x/ - /ɣ/
    • Feel the vibration turn on and off

  3. Word Practice: Read aloud: Ik ga graag naar de stad. Het is gezellig. (I like to go to the city. It’s cozy.)

  4. Listening Practice: Listen to Dutch speakers and identify g/ch sounds. Notice how common they are!