How to Pronounce "mirage"
The correct pronunciation of "mirage" is mi-RAHZH /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "mi-RAJ" habit for good.
mirage
/ˈmɪrɑːʒ/An optical illusion, often of water, caused by hot air, or an unrealistic hope.
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Record yourself saying “mirage” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "mi-RAJ" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "mi-RAJ" or "MEE-raj" with the hard 'j' of 'judge'. | mi-RAHZH /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Second syllable in US; first (MIR) in British English. |
How Do You Pronounce "mirage"?
"mirage" is pronounced mi-RAHZH /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/. The stress is on the second syllable in US; first (MIR) in British English. As a noun, it means an optical illusion, often of water, caused by hot air, or an unrealistic hope.
The '-age' is a soft 'zh', not a hard 'j': mi-RAHZH.
Note: US /mɪˈrɑːʒ/ ("mi-RAHZH") stresses the last syllable; both end in the soft 'zh'.
Say "mirage" 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
mi-RAHZH — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Second syllable in US; first (MIR) in British English. Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The '-age' is a soft 'zh', not a hard 'j': mi-RAHZH.
Blend and repeat
Now say "mirage" at normal speed: mi-RAHZH. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "mirage" (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 → mi-RAHZH
The '-age' is the 'zh' of 'measure'.
NOT mi-RAJ — mi-RAHZH
No hard 'j'; soft 'zh'.
Say at speed: "The water was just a mirage."
Keep the ending soft.
Why "mirage" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers read '-age' as /dʒ/, but in this French loanword the ending is the soft 'zh' sound.
Tip: End with the 'zh' of 'measure': mi-RAHZH.
Hear “mirage” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
The water was just a mirage.
His success turned out to be a mirage.
We saw a mirage on the highway.
Words Related to "mirage"
Now say it inside a sentence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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