MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · General American

English /ʒ/ vs /dʒ/Lesion or legion?

Compare the continuous voiced sound /ʒ/ with the voiced affricate /dʒ/ between vowels. The three pairs use selected American readings; version and virgin share a final schwa in this lesson. A small practiced inventory does not establish unseen-word transfer.

Practice these sounds
/ʒ/

Continuous, voiced friction

Listen for the continuous, voiced friction through this consonant.

As inlesion
/dʒ/

A stop flowing into friction

A brief closure releases into voiced friction. Listen to the whole consonant.

As inlegion

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Lesion/legion, pleasure/pledger and the selected version/virgin readings place /ʒ/ and /dʒ/ between vowel sounds. Both consonants are voiced; /dʒ/ includes a brief closure before its release into friction.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

A common trap

Version/virgin is minimal here only with the shared final-schwa American readings. A final /ɪ/ in virgin adds a vowel difference; /ʃ/ in version changes the target. Pledger is real but less frequent. These are specific dictionary forms, not a rule for every American speaker.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
lesion
/ˈliʒən/an area of damaged tissue
version
/ˈvɝʒən/a particular form or account of something
pleasure
/ˈplɛʒɚ/enjoyment
measure
/ˈmɛʒɚ/to find the size of something
treasure
/ˈtɹɛʒɚ/valuable objects
legion
/ˈlidʒən/a large group; a military unit
virgin
/ˈvɝdʒən/unused; untouched
major
/ˈmeɪdʒɚ/important
magic
/ˈmædʒɪk/magic
budget
/ˈbʌdʒɪt/spending plan

10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.

Now, let your ears decide.

Can you hear the difference? Listen to two examples, then decide which sound you hear in a new word. Get feedback after every answer.

Practice these sounds

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Compare the middle consonant while X changes to another word frame. All recordings need to preserve the declared readings. Once the three pairs are familiar, practice accuracy cannot establish transfer to unseen words; that requires a separately expanded inventory.

Explore all English contrasts
🌐 English