What Are the “lh” and “nh” Sounds?
The “lh” Sound
The “lh” combination is a digraph found in Portuguese words such as “filho” (son), “mulher” (woman), and “trabalho” (work). It is not a sound that exists in standard English, which is why it can be tricky for learners.
The “nh” Sound
The “nh” digraph appears in words like “vinho” (wine), “senhor” (sir or mister), and “manhã” (morning). This sound is also unique to Portuguese but is similar to some sounds found in other languages such as Spanish and French.
How to Pronounce the “lh” Sound
The “lh” in Portuguese is pronounced as a palatal lateral approximant, represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [ʎ]. To English speakers, the closest equivalent is the “lli” sound in the English word “million,” but it is not identical.
Steps to Pronounce “lh”:
- Place the middle part of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth.
- Let the air pass along the sides of your tongue.
- Keep the tip of your tongue down, behind your lower teeth.
- Try saying the English word “million.” The way the “lli” sounds is similar to the Portuguese “lh,” but in Portuguese, it is even softer and more continuous.
Practice with words:
- filho (son) – pronounced as “FEEL-yo”
- mulher (woman) – pronounced as “moo-LYEHR”
- trabalho (work) – pronounced as “tra-BAH-lyoo”
How to Pronounce the “nh” Sound
The “nh” is pronounced as a palatal nasal, represented as [ɲ] in IPA. In English, there is no direct equivalent, but it is similar to the “ny” sound in the English word “canyon.”
Steps to Pronounce “nh”:
- Start by positioning your tongue as if you are going to say the English “n.”
- Move the middle of your tongue up to touch the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth.
- Let the sound pass through your nose, like an “n” sound, but with your tongue in this higher position.
- Try to imitate the “ny” in “canyon.” The Portuguese “nh” is very close to that sound, but more blended into the following vowel.
Practice with words:
- vinho (wine) – pronounced as “VEEN-yoo”
- senhor (sir/mister) – pronounced as “sen-YOHR”
- manhã (morning) – pronounced as “mun-YAH”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many learners substitute “lh” with a plain “l” and “nh” with a regular “n,” but this can lead to misunderstandings. Here are some tips to avoid these mistakes:
- Listen to native speakers and repeat after them, focusing on the tongue position.
- Record yourself and compare with authentic audio, such as the examples provided on Talkpal’s AI language learning platform.
- Practice minimal pairs (words that differ only by “lh” or “nh”) to sharpen your listening and pronunciation skills.
Practice Strategies for Mastery
Consistent practice is key to mastering these sounds. Here are some effective strategies:
- Use language learning apps like Talkpal that offer pronunciation exercises and instant feedback.
- Watch Portuguese videos or listen to podcasts, paying close attention to words with “lh” and “nh.”
- Repeat sentences aloud and practice tongue twisters that use these sounds.
- Work with a language partner or tutor who can correct your pronunciation in real time.
Conclusion
Learning how to pronounce “lh” and “nh” in Portuguese will significantly improve your speaking and listening skills. Remember, these sounds require new tongue positions and a bit of practice, but with regular exposure and feedback—especially using resources like the Talkpal AI language learning blog—you can master them. Keep practicing, and soon these unique Portuguese sounds will become second nature!
