G before E, I and Y

1. 1
   gem/dʒem/

   noun

   A hard stone that is cut and polished to be worn as jewelry.
2. 2
   giant/ˈdʒaɪənt/

   adjective

   Huge and heavy.
3. 3
   gently/ˈdʒentli/

   adverb

   In a soft, careful way, without any roughness.
4. 4
   ginger/ˈdʒɪndʒər/

   noun

   A spicy root used fresh to flavor food, especially in Asian cooking.
5. 5
   giraffe/dʒərˈæf/

   noun

   A tall African animal with a spotted coat, a very long neck and long legs.
6. 6
   gesture/ˈdʒestʃər/

   verb

   To point something out or show what you mean by moving your hand or body.
7. 7
   gyrate/ˈdʒaɪˌreɪt/

   verb

   To spin around fast and repeatedly on the spot.
8. 8
   genuine/ˈdʒenjəwən/

   adjective

   Really felt and meant, not put on for show.
9. 9
   gynecology/ˌɡaɪnəˈkɑːlədʒi/

   noun

   The branch of medicine that deals with the health of women's reproductive organs.
10. 10
    genre/ˈʒɑːnrə/

    noun

    A type of book, film or music with its own recognizable style.

The sentences

1. The label says it's a real gem.

2. They only sell it in giant bottles here.

3. It says wash it gently in cold water.

4. Is there any fresh ginger in this sauce?

5. The bag has a giraffe printed on it.

6. Don't just gesture at it, read me the label.

7. The blades gyrate when you press this button.

8. Does it say genuine leather on the tag?

9. The shelf label says gynecology, so the vitamins are somewhere else.

10. What genre is this movie supposed to be?

Pronunciation

• giraffe/dʒərˈæf/

  The stress lands on the second syllable; the first is a quick, almost swallowed "juh".

• genuine/ˈdʒenjəwən/

  The last syllable is "win", not "wine".

• gynecology/ˌɡaɪnəˈkɑːlədʒi/

  This one breaks the pattern: the g is hard, as in "guy". Main stress falls on the "col".

• genre/ˈʒɑːnrə/

  Starts with the buzzing sound in the middle of "measure", with no d in front of it.

Questions

What do you say if the label doesn't say the material is genuine?

Ask 'Does it say genuine leather on the tag?'

How do you say gynecology if the g doesn't sound soft?

Gynecology breaks the pattern: the g is hard, as in 'guy', and the main stress falls on 'col'.

What does genre mean here?

Genre is a type of book, film or music with its own recognizable style.