The “ch” sound in Spanish, represented by the digraph “ch,” functions as a single consonant, distinct from the sounds of “c” or “h” individually. It is considered one of the consonant sounds of the Spanish alphabet and appears in numerous words, such as chico (small boy), leche (milk), and muchacho (boy). Its pronunciation is similar to the “ch” in the English word “church.”
Understanding this distinct phoneme is essential for proper pronunciation and comprehension in Spanish. Its presence significantly alters word meanings, differentiating, for example, caro (expensive) from charco (puddle). Historically, “ch” was considered a separate letter in the Spanish alphabet until the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) reclassified it as a digraph in 1803. This change reflected a shift towards a more phonological understanding of the language, recognizing “ch” as a single sound rather than a combination of two separate letters.