How to Pronounce "ache"
The correct pronunciation of "ache" is AYK /eɪk/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "AYCH" habit for good.
ache
/eɪk/A steady, dull pain in a part of the body.
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Record yourself saying “ache” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "AYCH" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying 'AYCH' with the soft chair-'ch', so it rhymes with 'catch'. | AYK /eɪk/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | One syllable (AYK). |
How Do You Pronounce "ache"?
"ache" is pronounced AYK /eɪk/. The stress is on the one syllable (AYK). As a noun, it means a steady, dull pain in a part of the body.
The 'ch' is a hard 'k' sound, not the 'ch' of 'chair' — the word rhymes with 'bake', not 'batch'.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "ache" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
AYK — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
One syllable (AYK). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'ch' is a hard 'k' sound, not the 'ch' of 'chair' — the word rhymes with 'bake', not 'batch'.
Blend and repeat
Now say "ache" at normal speed: AYK. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "ache" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
bake → cake → ache
All end in a hard k; 'ache' rhymes with them, never with 'catch'.
NOT AYCH — AYK
Finish with a hard k, never the chair-ch.
Say at speed: "I have an ache in my back."
Keep the ending k clean so it sounds like 'bake', not 'batch'.
Why "ache" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers default 'ch' to the chair sound, but in this word 'ch' is simply a hard k.
Tip: Say 'AY' then a clean k: AYK, rhyming with 'bake'.
Hear “ache” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
I have an ache in my back.
My legs ache after the run.
The dull ache would not go away.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "ache" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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