Most Prominent Sound in European Portuguese

The /ʃ/ sound (as in shine) is arguably the most prominent sound in European Portuguese. In fact, it’s often cited as one of the key reasons why European Portuguese is said to resemble Slavic languages.

Let me show you all the spellings rendering the /ʃ/ sound in European Portuguese. Let’s get down to it.

1. S at the end

S at the end of words renders /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• cais (pier)
• nós (we)
• costas (back)

2. S followed by voiceless consonants

S followed by a voiceless consonant renders /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• espera (wait)
• escada (ladder)
• estalo (slap)

3. Z at the end

Z at the end of words renders /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• noz (walnut)
• atroz (ruthless)
• vez (turn)

4. CH always

CH always renders /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• chapéu (hat)
• chuva (rain)
• fecho (zipper)

5. X at the beginning

X at the beginning of words always renders /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• xaile (shawl)
• xadrês  (chess)
• xícara (espresso cup)

6. X before silent consonants

X before silent consonants render /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• extremo (extreme)
• expectativa (expectation)
• exclusão (exclusion)

7. X in between vowels (often)

X between vowels can render /ʃ/. Here are a few examples:

• lixo (garbage)
• mexido (stirred)
• baixo (short)