Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a treasure. Next to it was a television and a measure. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a usual and a vision. What a great day!
ZH
ZH sound /ʒ/
The voiced partner of SH, as in 'treasure'. Rare in English and mostly medial.
American English pronunciation model · voiced · behind the ridge (postalveolar) · fricative · spellings: s (treasure), si (vision), ge (beige)
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This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/ʒ/ · Buzzy shushing sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice on · feel the buzz · Airflow
Round your lips a little; add a buzz behind the ridge.
Like /ʃ/, with vocal-fold vibration.
Movement 1/3: Lips round a little
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How to Make the Sound
/ʒ/
Voice switched ON
Put your hand on your throat — you should feel a buzz.
Remember it: Buzzy SH.
- Tongue
- The same as /ʃ/ (SH).
- Lips and jaw
- Lips rounded forward.
- Air
- A soft stream of air with the voice buzzing.
Step by step
- Make a long "shh".
- Turn your voice on.
- Buzz gently — zh (as in "treasure").
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like SH or J. Keep it long and smooth, with the voice on.
Step up gradually
- 1. Sound on its own
- 2. Syllables
- 3. Words
- 4. Phrases
- 5. Sentences
- 6. Everyday talk
A sound can be easier on its own than in connected speech. Move on only when your child is saying it accurately and feels ready — not just because a worksheet is finished. Read the Parent Guide
1. Sound in isolation
/ʒ/
SH lips, voice on: zh.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
azha
eezha
ozha
azh
eezh
ozh
Medial position
treasure
/ʒ/ · medial
“find the treasure”
television
/ʒ/ · medial
“my television”
measure
/ʒ/ · medial
“my measure”
usual
/ʒ/ · medial
“as usual”
vision
/ʒ/ · medial
“my vision”
Final position
beige
/ʒ/ · final
“a beige box”
garage
/ʒ/ · final
“in the garage”
Short phrases
- find the treasure
- my television
- my measure
- as usual
- my vision
- a beige box
- in the garage
Sentences
- I can see the treasure.
- I can see the television.
- I can see the measure.
- I can see the usual.
- I can see the vision.
- I can see the beige.
- The car is in the garage. (Some speakers say /dʒ/.)