-sion sound

Rule Core

-sion is a common English noun suffix of Latin origin, typically expressing action, state, or result. When preceded by letters like s, ss, c, ce, it is usually pronounced /ʃən/ (“shun”), rather than sounded out letter by letter.

Articulation Guide

Place the tongue close to the alveolar ridge to create a soft /ʃ/ fricative. Lips are slightly rounded, airflow is continuous, then relax quickly into the weak vowel /ən/.

Word Analysis

In occasion /əˈkeɪʒən/, the spelling is -sion but the sound becomes /ʒən/ due to the voiced environment before it, a key variation learners must notice.

Pitfall Alert

Avoid pronouncing -sion as /sɪon/. Treat it as a single phonetic unit and watch for voicing changes.