Initial ZH Words for Speech Therapy

Initial ZH Words are words that start with the /ZH/ sound, such as genre, azure, and Asia. This list has 20 initial-position ZH words for speech therapy practice, and most children master the /ZH/ sound by age 7.

ZH words at the beginning: genre, azure, Asia, Asian, usual, usually, vision, version, visual, measure — plus 10 more below. Initial position puts the target sound at the very start, which makes it the easiest place to introduce a new sound.

Words:20
Position:Initial

Initial ZH Words — Full List (20 Words)

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

genreazureAsiaAsianusualusuallyvisionversionvisualmeasuretreasurepleasureleisureseizureclosurecasualfusionlesionPersiaregime
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Initial ZH Words at Home

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

1

Start by saying the /ZH/ sound in isolation, then immediately follow it with the vowel in the word. For example, stretch out "genre" as "ZH...genre".

2

Use a mirror so your child can watch their mouth as they start each word with the /ZH/ sound.

3

Practice just the first syllable of each word before saying the whole word. This builds confidence with the sound at the start.

4

Play "I Spy" with objects that start with the /ZH/ sound to make practice feel like a game.

5

Read books together and have your child point out words that begin with the /ZH/ sound.

Practice Sentences with Initial ZH Words

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

Measure the treasure and put it away with pleasure.

It is a pleasure to watch television during my leisure time.

The usual version of the story has a surprise conclusion.

The magician's illusion was an unusual vision.

Initial ZH Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of ZH words in the initial position?
This page lists 20 ZH words that start with the /ZH/ sound, including genre, azure, Asia, Asian, usual, usually, vision, version, visual, measure.
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 initial ZH words at home?
Start by saying the /ZH/ sound in isolation, then immediately follow it with the vowel in the word. For example, stretch out "genre" as "ZH...genre". Use a mirror so your child can watch their mouth as they start each word with the /ZH/ sound.

More ZH Word Lists & Resources

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

Medial ZH Words

20 words with tips

Final 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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