How to Pronounce "machine"
The correct pronunciation of "machine" is muh-SHEEN /məˈʃiːn/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "muh-CHEEN" habit for good.
machine
/məˈʃiːn/A device with moving parts that does a particular job.
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Record yourself saying “machine” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "muh-CHEEN" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying 'muh-CHEEN' with the hard chair-'ch' in the middle. | muh-SHEEN /məˈʃiːn/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Second syllable (SHEEN). |
How Do You Pronounce "machine"?
"machine" is pronounced muh-SHEEN /məˈʃiːn/. The stress is on the second syllable (SHEEN). As a noun, it means a device with moving parts that does a particular job.
The 'ch' is a soft 'sh' sound, not the hard 'ch' of 'chair' — muh-SHEEN.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "machine" 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
muh-SHEEN — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Second syllable (SHEEN). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'ch' is a soft 'sh' sound, not the hard 'ch' of 'chair' — muh-SHEEN.
Blend and repeat
Now say "machine" at normal speed: muh-SHEEN. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "machine" (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.
sheen → machine
The stressed ending is 'sheen', a soft sh, never chair-ch.
NOT muh-CHEEN — muh-SHEEN
A hushing sh in the middle, not a hard ch.
Say at speed: "The washing machine is broken."
Keep the sh soft even when the word is quick.
Why "machine" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers default 'ch' to the chair sound, but in this French-origin word 'ch' is a soft sh.
Tip: Use a hushing 'sh' for the stressed part: muh-SHEEN, ending like 'sheen'.
Hear “machine” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
The washing machine is broken.
This machine makes coffee.
He works with heavy machines.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "machine" 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
How do you pronounce "machine" in Indian English?
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