4 letters · 2 sounds · updated 15 Aug 2026

How to pronounce
"ache"

"ache" is pronounced with 2 sounds across 2 phonics chunks: a · che. Tap each box below to hear the sound, then blend them to read the word.

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'ache' has 4 letters and 2 sounds. Some letters work together to spell a single sound — a reminder that English maps graphemes to sounds, not letters one-for-one.

How do you pronounce "ache"?

To pronounce "ache" correctly, say each of the 2 sounds in order, then blend them smoothly. This technique — Elkonin sound boxes — is used in thousands of US classrooms following the Science of Reading approach. Here's the step-by-step phonics method:

  1. 1 Say the sound for "a" — then pause
  2. 2 Say the sound for "che" — final sound
  3. ✓ Blend all 2 sounds together: "ache"

Frequently asked questions about "ache"

How do you pronounce "ache"?
To pronounce "ache", say each of its 2 phonics sound chunks in order — a, and che — then blend them smoothly. Tap the sound boxes above to hear each chunk.
How many sound chunks are in "ache"?
"ache" has 2 phonics sound chunks: a · che. Breaking a word into chunks helps kids decode it one sound at a time using the Science of Reading approach.
What are the phonics sounds in "ache"?
The phonics sounds in "ache" are a, and che. Each chunk represents one distinct sound; together they spell the 4-letter word "ache".
How many letters are in "ache"?
"ache" has 4 letters and 2 phonics sound chunks.
What words rhyme with "ache"?
Words that rhyme with "ache" include "break", "stake", "drake", "sake", "ake". See the full rhyme-family hub linked below.

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