There is a sound in English that many learners never practice on purpose. It appears in common words like "measure," "vision," and "garage," but most people don't even know its name. It's the /ʒ/ sound, sometimes called "voiced sh."
What is the /ʒ/ sound?
The /ʒ/ sound is like /ʃ/ (the "sh" in "shoe"), but with your vocal cords vibrating. Put your hand on your throat and say "shhhh." Now keep the same mouth shape and turn on your voice. That buzzing version is /ʒ/.
Compare:
- /ʃ/ (voiceless): shoe, ship, rush
- /ʒ/ (voiced): measure, vision, beige
Why this sound is tricky
English has no single letter for /ʒ/. Instead, it hides inside different spelling patterns. Also, /ʒ/ never appears at the beginning of common English words (except a few borrowed from French like "genre"). This makes it hard to notice and practice.
Common spelling patterns for /ʒ/
1. The "-sion" ending (after a vowel)
When "-sion" comes after a vowel, it is usually pronounced /ʒən/:
2. The "-sure" ending
Words ending in "-sure" often have /ʒər/:
3. The "-sual" and "-sually" pattern
4. The "-ge" ending (in some French-origin words)
Don't confuse /ʒ/ with /dʒ/
The /dʒ/ sound (as in "judge" or "gym") starts with a /d/ before the buzzing. The /ʒ/ sound is pure buzzing with no /d/ at the start.
Compare these pairs:
- leisure /ˈliːʒər/ vs. ledger /ˈlɛdʒər/
- vision /ˈvɪʒən/ vs. pigeon /ˈpɪdʒən/
If you add a /d/ before /ʒ/, it becomes /dʒ/. Keep /ʒ/ smooth and continuous, with no stop at the start.
How to make the /ʒ/ sound
- Start by saying "shhhh" (/ʃ/).
- Keep your tongue in exactly the same position.
- Turn on your voice (make your vocal cords vibrate).
- The result is /ʒ/. It should sound like a buzzing version of "sh."
Test: put your fingers on your throat. If you feel vibration, you are making /ʒ/ correctly.
Practice sentences
- "It's my pleasure to make this decision." (two /ʒ/ sounds)
- "She usually watches television in her leisure time." (three /ʒ/ sounds)
- "Measure the beige curtains for the garage." (three /ʒ/ sounds)
Quick reference: /ʒ/ vs. similar sounds
| Sound | Symbol | Voiced? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| "sh" | /ʃ/ | No | shoe, fish |
| "zh" | /ʒ/ | Yes | measure, vision |
| "j" / "dg" | /dʒ/ | Yes (with stop) | judge, gem |
| "ch" | /tʃ/ | No (with stop) | church, watch |
FAQ
Is the /ʒ/ sound common in English?
It is less common than /ʃ/ or /dʒ/, but it appears in many everyday words. Once you learn the spelling patterns, you will start noticing it everywhere.
Does the /ʒ/ sound exist in Spanish?
Standard Spanish does not have /ʒ/. The closest sound in some dialects is the "y" or "ll" in Argentine Spanish ("yo" pronounced as /ʒo/). If you speak with that accent, you already know this sound.
How is "garage" pronounced in American English?
Most Americans say /ɡəˈrɑːʒ/ with /ʒ/ at the end. Some British speakers say /ˈɡærɑːdʒ/ with /dʒ/ instead.