What is garage? Pronunciation and usage in English

garage means . Learn how to pronounce and use garage through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of garage

garagenoun

/ˈɡarɑː(d)ʒ//ˈɡarɪdʒ//ɡəˈrɑː(d)ʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of garage

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "garage." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ɡəˈrɑːʒ/ (American English)
  • /ɡəˈrɑːʒ/ (British English)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "gar": This is pronounced like "gaar" – similar to the word "car" but with a slightly more drawn-out "a" sound. Think of it as a “guh-aar” sound. The "g" is a hard "g" sound, as in "go."

  2. "age": This is pronounced like "ahj" – with a short "a" sound (like in "cat") and a soft "j" sound (like in "judge"). It’s not like the word "age" as in "old age."

Putting it together:

Say it slowly: "guh-aar-ahj". Then speed it up a little.

Key Points & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "rahj": That's a very common mistake. The "j" is very subtle and soft.
  • The stress is on the second syllable ("age"): This is crucial. It makes a difference in how the word sounds.
  • The ‘r’ sound is lightly rolled (in American English): Although not a hard roll, there’s a slight friction sound in the ‘r’ sound. This is more pronounced in some American accents.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (or what dialect of English are you learning)? (e.g., American, British, Australian, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word garage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "garage" in English. It has a few different meanings and usages! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. The Most Common Meaning: A Building for Cars & Tools

  • Definition: This is the most frequent usage. A garage is a building, usually attached to a house, that’s used for storing and working on cars, motorcycles, or other vehicles. It often contains tools, equipment, and sometimes a workbench.

  • Examples:

    • "We need to get the car into the garage before it rains."
    • "My dad spends hours in the garage working on his classic car."
    • "The garage is full of tools and spare parts."
    • "Let's park the car in the garage to keep it safe."

2. A Place for Selling or Trading (Especially in the US)

  • Definition: In the United States, a "garage sale" is a sale of used items held in a person's garage or driveway. It's a common way to get rid of unwanted belongings.

  • Examples:

    • "We’re having a garage sale this weekend to clear out some space."
    • "I found a great vintage dress at the garage sale down the street."
    • "Don't miss the local garage sale – you might find some treasures."

  • Note: This usage is primarily in North America (especially the US). It's much less common in the UK and other parts of the world.

3. Informal – A Gathering or Party

  • Definition: “Garage” can also be used informally to describe a party or gathering, especially one with a specific musical style (often electronic or dance music). The term comes from the early days of club culture, where makeshift venues (often garages) hosted these events.

  • Examples:

    • "We went to a really cool garage party last night – it was amazing!"
    • “He’s a DJ who specializes in garage music.”
    • "That garage scene in the 90s was huge."

  • Associated Music: "Garage" music typically refers to subgenres like:

    • Garage House: A type of house music with a distinctive, often gritty, bassline and vocal samples.
    • UK Garage: A hugely popular genre in the UK in the late 90s and early 2000s – a blend of house, hip-hop, and R&B.

4. (Less Common) A Storage Area

  • Definition: Less frequently, "garage" can simply refer to a general storage area, like a shed or a room used for storing things.

  • Example: “He built a small garage behind the house for his lawnmower.”

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Definition Example
Building A shelter for vehicles and tools "Park the car in the garage."
Sale A sale of items in a garage/driveway "We're having a garage sale."
Party/Gathering A party with a particular music style "Let's go to a garage party!"
General Storage A room or shed for storing items "He used the garage to store his bikes."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about when you want to use the word "garage"? (e.g., talking about cars, selling items, a party, etc.)

Synonyms for the word garage

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