The /ʒ/ sound does not exist at the start of English words, so learners reach for /g/ or /dʒ/ (as in go or gem). But a small, common group of words keeps the soft French sound, the same as the S in measure and vision.
The Rule: If a word came into English from French (often ending in -ge or -ige), the G is usually pronounced /ʒ/.
The /ʒ/ words
Practice these words:
More: montage, sabotage, corsage, regime, beige, entourage, mirage.
How to make the sound
Say the English sh /ʃ/, then turn on your voice so the vocal cords vibrate. That buzzing /ʒ/ is the target. It is exactly the middle sound of measure, pleasure, and television.
Exceptions
Not every -ge word is French. Native English words use /dʒ/: age, page, large, change, bridge. And many G words are simply /g/: go, get, garden. The /ʒ/ rule applies to the borrowed, often elegant-sounding vocabulary above.
Quick Summary
| Sound | When | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| /ʒ/ | French loanwords | genre, beige, garage, prestige |
| /dʒ/ | native -ge words | age, page, change, bridge |
| /g/ | ordinary g words | go, get, garden |
Want to train your ear and mouth on these patterns? Try our interactive pronunciation practice and hear each sound in context.