Polish Language: Pronunciation of "Ch" Explained"

[fluidistic]

Polish language: the "ch"

I'm having a doubt about the pronounciation of the "ch" in Polish. When it is followed by a vowell (like in the word "kocham") I know it's pronounced similarly to the "j" in Spanish or probably some arabic consonant. However when it ends a word (like in the word "strach"), how is it pronounced? Still the same way or like a "k"? Or a mix of both?

 

[Xitami]

"h" "ch" always same
"rz" "ż" same but "zamarzł" "rz" -> "r" "z" no "ż"
try translate.google.pl
kocham, ham, chichot, krzyż OK
zamarzł NOT, beter sounds zamarsł

 

[Borek]

Historically h & ch were different sounds, in modern Polish they are always identical.

zamarzł NOT, beter sounds zamarsł

Are you sure?

"ł" to spółgłoska sonorna, bez bezdźwięcznego odpowiednika, więc nie ubezdźwięczniająca się w wygłosie. Nie ma powodu żeby "z" przed nią straciło dźwięczność.

Edit: zacząłem się teraz zastanawiać, czy to "ł" nie zanika, zostawiajac "zamars".

Sorry all, translating the phrase above to English is beyond my capabilities

 

[fluidistic]

Ok thanks guys.
So Marzena is pronounced "Mażena"?

 

[Borek]

Ok thanks guys.
So Marzena is pronounced "Mażena"?

Yes.

 

[fluidistic]

Yes.

Thanks.