Spelling:
- "s"/"si" - usually, vision
- "g"/"ge" - rouge, genre
LISTEN
Grammar Tip:
The sound /ʒ/ is most common in the suffix “-sion.” This suffix transforms some verbs into nouns. If the verb ends in -ude/-ide/-ode/-ade, -ise, -use, or -vert, the final sound often becomes /ʒən/.Lightly press the front part of your tongue between your alveolar ridge and your soft palate. The sides of your tongue should lightly touch your back upper teeth.
| grammar_-zh-.mp3 |
- -ude/-ide/-ode/-ade: conclude --> conclusion; invade --> invasion
- -rt: convert --> conversion
- -use: confuse --> confusion
- -ise: revise --> revision
COMPARE
Compare /ʒ/ and /ʃ/:
| compare_zh-sh_1.mp3 |
/ʒ/…/ʃ/…/ʒ/…/ʃ/…/ʒ/…/ʃ/…
These are both alveo-palatal fricative consonants. However, /ʒ/ is voiced and /ʃ/ is voiceless.
These are both alveo-palatal fricative consonants. However, /ʒ/ is voiced and /ʃ/ is voiceless.
Now, compare /ʒ/ and /dʒ/:
| compare_zh-j_1.mp3 |
/ʒ/…/dʒ/…/ʒ/…/dʒ/…/ʒ/…/dʒ/…
These are both voiced, alveo-palatal consonants. However, /ʒ/ is a fricative and /dʒ/ is an affricate. For /dʒ/, the air in your mouth should stop before being released.
These are both voiced, alveo-palatal consonants. However, /ʒ/ is a fricative and /dʒ/ is an affricate. For /dʒ/, the air in your mouth should stop before being released.
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-zh-.mp3 |
|
1. genre
2. beige 3. massage 4. prestige 5. camouflage 6. casual 7. Asia 8. treasure 9. confusion 10. version |
11. conversion
12. decision 13. enclosure 14. usually 15. inclusion 16. measurement 17. television 18. erosion 19. invasion 20. casualty |
Now, practice /ʒ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
| sentences_with_-zh-.mp3 |
1. usually – television – I usually don’t watch much
television.
2. casually – occasion – Should I dress casually for this occasion?
3. collision – explosion – The collision of the two airplanes caused an explosion.
4. measure – erosion – It’s difficult to measure how much erosion has occurred.
5. pleasure – Asia – It was a pleasure to visit my friends in Asia.
6. decision – confusion – The president’s decision caused some confusion.
2. casually – occasion – Should I dress casually for this occasion?
3. collision – explosion – The collision of the two airplanes caused an explosion.
4. measure – erosion – It’s difficult to measure how much erosion has occurred.
5. pleasure – Asia – It was a pleasure to visit my friends in Asia.
6. decision – confusion – The president’s decision caused some confusion.
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
