MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · French (France)

French /ʒ/ vs /ʃ//ʒ/ / /ʃ/

Learn to hear the difference between ʒ and ʃ in French words.

Practice these sounds
/ʒ/

Continuous, voiced friction

Listen for the continuous, voiced friction through this consonant.

As injoue
/ʃ/

A broader, unvoiced hiss

A continuous consonant. Compare the quality of its friction with the other sound.

As inchou

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Joue/chou, gens/champ and geai/chai contrast /ʒ/ with /ʃ/ at the start of the word. Their vowels change across pairs, so the opening consonant stays your target.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

A common trap

French j and g in these examples are not the English j sound. Both categories are continuous fricatives, with a voicing contrast. No pronunciation response is required.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
joue
/ʒu/cheek
gens
/ʒɑ̃/people
geai
/ʒɛ/jay, a bird
jus
/ʒy/juice
jeu
/ʒø/game
jeûne
/ʒøn/a fast; abstention from food
jeune
/ʒœn/young
joute
/ʒut/a contest or verbal sparring match
chou
/ʃu/cabbage
champ
/ʃɑ̃/field
chai
/ʃɛ/wine storehouse
chaud
/ʃo/hot
choix
/ʃwa/choice
chat
/ʃa/cat; masculine form
chant
/ʃɑ̃/singing; song

15 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

Not sure which sounds to practice? Take the free French listening diagnostic

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Match the opening sound across an oral rounded vowel, a nasal vowel and an open-mid front vowel. X will use a different word from A or B.

Explore all French contrasts
🌐 English