Thread: Difference between K and X

The k is like ka, and the x is like kaa

just a little extended right?

I don't know why people say x sounds like 'kaa',

the x sounds like you are clearing your throat. Try pronouncing 'H' (the sound, not the letter) and K at the same time.

There is a similar sound in Polish, if I'm not mistaken.

Yes there is a sound like that in Polish as well. I guess I didn't listen to it right



thanks for saying that vinnie, I hear it now.

Think baCH or loCH.

Originally Posted by Darobat

Я учусь русский язык.

Я учу русский язык

шахматы = chess
Pronounced something like shAhmatui

x sounds like ch in loch

Originally Posted by kwatts59

x sounds like ch in loch

as in Loch Ness? Loch is pronounced as Lock

as in Loch Ness? Loch is pronounced as Lock

I always hated it when books tell you to pronounce Х as the "ch" in "loch", because almost all AmE speakers are going to pronounce that as a "k." Don't know about BrE though. There is definitely no equivalent sound in AmE, though. Occasionally I hear people make "kh" noises instead of "k" in quick speech, but they didn't intend to pronounce it like that, I'm sure.

And besides, If I'm not wrong, the Scottish "ch" is more similar to the German one, that is, it's rather hard. I think "х" is a little bit lighter, nicht wahr? IMO it would be closer to Spanish "j."

Originally Posted by Milanya

Originally Posted by Darobat

Я учусь русский язык.

Я учу русский язык

Doesn't the сь indicate that I'm learning it myself, or teaching myself?

Originally Posted by Darobat

Originally Posted by Milanya

Originally Posted by Darobat

Я учусь русский язык.

Я учу русский язык

Doesn't the сь indicate that I'm learning it myself, or teaching myself?

If you say Я учусь you can't have a direct object after it.
Я учу has to have a direct object.

The reflexive suffix doesn't always have the meaning the think it would.


Ok, Loch is a Scots Gaelic word. Ch in that language is pronounced like russian X. Most non-Scots will pronounce it lock however.

Originally Posted by Pravit

as in Loch Ness? Loch is pronounced as Lock

I always hated it when books tell you to pronounce Х as the "ch" in "loch", because almost all AmE speakers are going to pronounce that as a "k." Don't know about BrE though. There is definitely no equivalent sound in AmE, though. Occasionally I hear people make "kh" noises instead of "k" in quick speech, but they didn't intend to pronounce it like that, I'm sure.

And besides, If I'm not wrong, the Scottish "ch" is more similar to the German one, that is, it's rather hard. I think "х" is a little bit lighter, nicht wahr? IMO it would be closer to Spanish "j."

Spanish J is much harsher than Russian X

Originally Posted by Darobat

Originally Posted by Milanya

Originally Posted by Darobat

Я учусь русский язык.

Я учу русский язык

Doesn't the сь indicate that I'm learning it myself, or teaching myself?

Я учу (что?) русский язык. -I study Russian myself.

Я учу (чему?) русскому языку. - I teach (somebody else) Russian.

Я учусь (чему?) русскому языку. - I learn Russian.

Я учусь говорить, читать и писать по-русски (на русском языке).

Originally Posted by Pravit

And besides, If I'm not wrong, the Scottish "ch" is more similar to the German one, that is, it's rather hard. I think "х" is a little bit lighter, nicht wahr? IMO it would be closer to Spanish "j."

Make it like German 'ch' and it will sound all right.
Just make sure it's not like the 'ch' in "nicht wahr"

Hrhrmrmm. In my personal opinion the German "ch" sounds rougher than Spanish "J." Perhaps I should have my ears examined, alas.

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

Originally Posted by kwatts59

x sounds like ch in loch

as in Loch Ness? Loch is pronounced as Lock

No, it bloody well is not.

Loch Ness = лох нэс.

That is a perfect transliteration.

Scotcher, how do you pronounce Lough?

My Lock ness will beat your lox ness any time

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

Scotcher, how do you pronounce Lough?

My Lock ness will beat your lox ness any time

Loch = Scots gaelic
Lough = Irish gaelic