French Pronunciation Dictionary138

Introduction

French is a beautiful and expressive language, but its pronunciation can be tricky for non-native speakers. This French pronunciation dictionary provides a comprehensive guide to French pronunciation, with clear and concise instructions for producing every sound in the French language. This guide should help you speak French with confidence and accuracy.

French Pronunciation Basics

Before we dive into the specifics of French pronunciation, let's go over some basic pronunciation rules that apply to all French words:
Syllable stress: In most French words, the stress falls on the last syllable.
Consonant liaison: When a word ending in a consonant is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, the final consonant is pronounced.
Vowel length: French vowels can be either short (about the same length as the vowel in English "cat") or long (twice the length of a short vowel).
Nasal vowels: French has four nasal vowels: [ɑ̃], [ɔ̃], [œ̃], and [ɛ̃]. These vowels are produced with the soft palate lowered, allowing air to escape through the nose.

French Vowels

French has 12 vowel sounds, represented by the following letters and letter combinations:
IPALetter(s)ExampleEnglish equivalent
[ɑ]apatteah
[ɑ̃]an, ammangeahng
[ɛ]è, ê, aitêteeh
[ɛ̃]enbrinehn
[e]é, ei, estétéay
[i]i, yfiniee
[ɔ]o, aupotaw
[ɔ̃]on, ombonohn
[œ]eu, œuœufeuh
[œ̃]unbrunuhn
[u]outoutoo
[y]umusiqueee (rounded)

French Consonants

French has 17 consonant sounds, represented by the following letters and letter combinations:
IPALetter(s)ExampleEnglish equivalent
[b]bbièreb
[d]ddired
[f]ffinf
[ɡ]g (before a, o, u)gateaug
[ʒ]g (before e, i, y)géniezh
[j]jjoliy
[k]c, qu (before a, o, u)cask
[l]llirel
[m]mmainm
[n]nnuitn
[p]ppainp
[ʁ]rrosea guttural r sound
[s]ssoleils
[t]ttablet
[v]vvisv
[w]wwagonw
[z]zzonez

Additional Pronunciation Tips

Here are a few additional tips to help you improve your French pronunciation:
Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn how to pronounce French correctly is to listen to native speakers. You can find French audio resources online, in movies, and on TV shows.
Practice speaking regularly: The more you practice speaking French, the better your pronunciation will become. Find opportunities to speak with native speakers or practice with a language partner.
Use a pronunciation dictionary: A pronunciation dictionary can be a great resource for checking the pronunciation of unfamiliar words. There are many pronunciation dictionaries available online and in bookstores.

Conclusion

Pronouncing French correctly can take some practice, but it is definitely possible. With the help of this French pronunciation dictionary and the tips provided above, you should be well on your way to speaking French with confidence and accuracy.

2024-10-29

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