r/norsk • u/dwchandler • Nov 26 '17

Søndagsspørsmål #203 - Sunday Question Thread

This is a weekly post to ask any question that you may not have felt deserved its own post, or have been hesitating to ask for whatever reason. No question too small or silly!

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u/krashmo Nov 27 '17

Can anyone tell me how to properly pronounce "kj" in Norsk? I understand that it is supposed to be between a "ch" sound and a "sh" sound but when I hear it out loud I cannot distinguish it from a "sh" sound so it is very difficult for me to get the vocalization down. I feel like I have to be missing something. I have watched a few videos on the subject but I could not hear the difference. Perhaps hearing a description from a native speaker would help.

Also, if I just substitute a "sh" sound would I still be understood? Due to the similar sound I wonder how important it is to say it exactly right.

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u/EnIdiot Nov 27 '17

Kjøtt (meat) is pronounced almost like “shot” in English and sjåfør (driver) is pronounced almost identically to “chauffeur” in English (although it is a French word). I’m a longtime, but out of practice speaker, so please someone who is native, please confirm.

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u/krashmo Nov 27 '17

Those are both words I was wondering about because they sound like they start the same way to me, especially when they are said quickly in a conversational setting.