How to Pronounce "genre"
The correct pronunciation of "genre" is ZHON-ruh /ˈʒɒn.rə/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "JON-ruh" habit for good.
genre
/ˈʒɒn.rə/A category of art, music, or literature.
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Record yourself saying “genre” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "JON-ruh" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "JON-ruh" with a hard "j", or "GEN-ray". | ZHON-ruh /ˈʒɒn.rə/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (ZHON). |
How Do You Pronounce "genre"?
"genre" is pronounced ZHON-ruh /ˈʒɒn.rə/. The stress is on the first syllable (ZHON). As a noun, it means a category of art, music, or literature.
Starts with the soft "zh" sound (like the "s" in "measure"), not a hard "j" or "g".
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "genre" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
ZHON-ruh — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (ZHON). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
Starts with the soft "zh" sound (like the "s" in "measure"), not a hard "j" or "g".
Blend and repeat
Now say "genre" at normal speed: ZHON-ruh. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "genre" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
measure → vision → ZHON-ruh
Borrow the soft "zh" buzz from the middle of "measure".
zh + on → ZHON → ZHON-ruh
Keep the buzz soft and voiced — never a hard j.
NOT JON-ruh — ZHON-ruh
"zh", not the hard j of "John"; then a soft "ruh".
Say at speed: "Sci-fi is my favourite genre."
Hold the zh onset even when the sentence moves fast.
Why "genre" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
The "zh" /ʒ/ sound does not exist at the start of words in English or Indian languages.
Tip: Make the soft buzzing "zh" of "vision/measure", then "ruh": ZHON-ruh.
Hear “genre” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Sci-fi is my favourite genre.
This genre of music is new.
The film mixes two genres.
Words Related to "genre"
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "genre" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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