Final ZH Words for Speech Therapy

Final ZH Words are words that end with the /ZH/ sound, such as garage, beige, and rouge. This list has 20 final-position ZH words for speech therapy practice, and most children master the /ZH/ sound by age 7.

ZH words at the end: garage, beige, rouge, luge, massage, mirage, collage, corsage, barrage, montage — plus 10 more below. Final position is where many children drop the sound altogether, so it is worth practicing on its own.

Words:20
Position:Final

Final ZH Words — Full List (20 Words)

Every word below ends with the /ZH/ sound. Work through five at a time rather than the whole list in one sitting.

garagebeigerougelugemassagemiragecollagecorsagebarragemontageprestigetriagesabotagecamouflageentourageconciergefuselageespionagedressagedecoupage
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Final ZH Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the /ZH/ sound at the end of words.

1

Have your child hold the /ZH/ sound slightly longer at the end of the word so they can feel the correct tongue and lip position.

2

Practice the ending sound in isolation first, then add the rest of the word before it. For example, say "...ZH" then "garage".

3

Many children drop the final sound in words. Encourage your child to "finish" every word by exaggerating the ending.

4

Play a sorting game: show your child pictures and have them sort words that end with the /ZH/ sound versus words that do not.

5

Use rhyming words to reinforce the /ZH/ ending sound pattern.

Practice Sentences with Final ZH Words

Read these sentences aloud. Words with the /ZH/ sound in final position are highlighted.

The garage door was painted beige, not rouge.

Out in the desert we saw a mirage that looked like a collage.

The concierge kept the camouflage jacket in the garage.

Final ZH Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of ZH words in the final position?
This page lists 20 ZH words that end with the /ZH/ sound, including garage, beige, rouge, luge, massage, mirage, collage, corsage, barrage, montage.
What age should a child master the ZH sound?
Most children master the /ZH/ sound by age 7. It is one of the last consonants to settle in, partly because it is so rare that children hear it far less often than other sounds. Because /ZH/ shares its mouth position with /SH/, it usually arrives once /SH/ is solid and voicing is under control.
How do you make the ZH sound?
Set your mouth up exactly as you would for /SH/: round your lips slightly and push them forward, then pull your tongue back so the wide front part sits close to the roof of your mouth, just behind the bumpy ridge. The sides of your tongue touch your upper back teeth. Now turn your voice on and let the air buzz through the channel. Where /SH/ is a quiet "shhh," /ZH/ is a humming "zhhh" — put a hand on your throat and you should feel it vibrate.
What are common ZH sound errors?
The most common /ZH/ errors are: Devoicing: saying /SH/ instead of /ZH/ (e.g., "meashure" for "measure"); Substituting /J/ (e.g., "garaj" for "garage" or "vidgeon" for "vision"); Substituting /Z/ (e.g., "treazure" for "treasure"); Stopping the airflow so the sound starts with a /D/ press instead of buzzing continuously; Losing the sound entirely inside longer words (e.g., "telvision," "decidion").
How do you practice final ZH words at home?
Have your child hold the /ZH/ sound slightly longer at the end of the word so they can feel the correct tongue and lip position. Practice the ending sound in isolation first, then add the rest of the word before it. For example, say "...ZH" then "garage".

More ZH Word Lists & Resources

Practice the /ZH/ sound in the other word positions, or use the full sound guide and word list.

Initial ZH Words

20 words with tips

Medial ZH Words

20 words with tips

ZH Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All ZH Words

Complete 60-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice ZH words with interactive activities

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