Thread: Pronunciation of "x"

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by TATY

Originally Posted by Оля

So do you pronounce this "kh" like russian "х"?

Kh should be pronounced as Russian X, but most English speakers don't know Russian and will just pronounce it as K.

The usual way people pronounce Хрущёв is "Krooshev", or "Krooshov"

That's why it's so much better to transliterate (and to pronounce) it as "h"!

Transliteration's primary goal is not about pronunciation though, it is about preserving spelling.

There is a similar problem with Hebrew. There is a letter which is a VERY guttural H (it sounds horrible to me), and Arabic has it too.

The standard transliteration of the letter is Ch. But English people think it's Ch as in Chair.

The problem is there is another letter in Hebrew which is the same as English H.

Hannukah is also spelt Channukah

The final H is the letter Heh, which is the same as English H
The initial H/Ch is the nasty sounding letter.

And in Ukrainian they have Г which is almost the same as Enlgish H, and Х which is the same as Russian X

So they have to disinguish between the two, so Г = Н, Х = Kh. Also Г sounds much more like English H.

The combination Kh is used partly because, Russian Х is pronounced at the same location as the letter K.

K is a Velar plosive. Velar decribed the location of the obsrutcion of airflow, which is between the back of the tong and roof of the mouth. Plosive describes the manner of the airflow. Plosive is like an explosion. The airflow is completely obstructed briefly, building up pressure, which when released make a K sound. This is why you can't make a continous K sound. You can only do it once, then again, then again.

Russian Х is a Velar frictive. Frictive means the airflow is partially obsrtucted, but there is just enough gap to allow a steady air flow.


To pronounce Russian X, the learner should say a [k] sound, as in King or Cat, and pay attention to how back of the touch is touching the roof ot eh mouth. When K is pronouced, the back of the tongue blocks the airflow.

The precise location of the contact should be identified, by repeating and paying close attention.

Say K, K, K, K, K. Then say whispers of K, K, K. Now try and make a 'silent' K.

Hold the tongue in position to produce a K. Gently try and force some air through, allowing the tongue to allow only the least amount of air through. You should hear a soft sound that sounds a bit like an aeroplane engine :P