How to Pronounce "gesture"
The correct pronunciation of "gesture" is JES-chuh /ˈdʒestʃə/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "GES-toor" habit for good.
gesture
/ˈdʒestʃə/A movement of the hand or head to express an idea; also a symbolic act.
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Record yourself saying “gesture” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "GES-toor" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying 'GES-toor' with a hard g and a spelled-out 'ture'. | JES-chuh /ˈdʒestʃə/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (JES). |
How Do You Pronounce "gesture"?
"gesture" is pronounced JES-chuh /ˈdʒestʃə/. The stress is on the first syllable (JES). As a noun, it means a movement of the hand or head to express an idea; also a symbolic act.
The 'g' is a soft 'j' and the 'tu' makes a 'ch' sound — JES-chuh, not GES-toor.
Note: US /ˈdʒestʃər/ sounds the final r; the soft 'j' start and 'ch' from 'tu' are the same in both.
Say "gesture" 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
JES-chuh — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (JES). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'g' is a soft 'j' and the 'tu' makes a 'ch' sound — JES-chuh, not GES-toor.
Blend and repeat
Now say "gesture" at normal speed: JES-chuh. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "gesture" (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.
jelly → JES-chuh
The opening 'g' is a soft j like 'jelly', not a hard g.
NOT GES-toor — JES-chuh
'ture' blends into 'chuh', never a spelled-out 'toor'.
Say at speed: "It was a kind gesture."
Keep the soft j and the ch ending even at pace.
Why "gesture" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers often read the 'g' as hard and sound out 'ture' as 'toor', but here 'g' is a soft j and 'tu' blends into 'ch'.
Tip: Start with a soft 'j' and end with 'chuh': JES-chuh.
Hear “gesture” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
He made a rude gesture.
It was a kind gesture.
She waved as a gesture of thanks.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "gesture" 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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