Pronunciation of French -il217

The French suffix -il can be pronounced in two different ways: as [ij] or [il]. The pronunciation depends on the following consonant sound. If the following consonant is voiced (i.e., it involves vibration of the vocal cords), then the -il is pronounced as [ij]. Here are some examples:
avril [a.vʁij] (April)
civil [] (civil)
exil [ɛ] (exile)
fêtil [] (wick)
habil [] (skillful)
Nil [nil] (Nile)
péril [pe.ʁij] (peril)
subtil [] (subtle)
viril [vi.ʁij] (virile)

If the following consonant is voiceless (i.e., it does not involve vibration of the vocal cords), then the -il is pronounced as [il]. Here are some examples:
cil [sil] (eyelash)
fil [fil] (thread)
gentil [ʒɑ̃.til] (kind)
mil [mil] (mile)
Nil [nil] (nothing)
outil [] (tool)
péril [pe.ʁil] (pearl)
réveil [ʁe.vɛj] (alarm clock)
sourcil [suʁ.sij] (eyebrow)

There are a few exceptions to these rules. The words "bâillement" (yawn), "éveil" (awakening), and "travail" (work) are pronounced with [ij] even though the following consonant is voiceless. Additionally, the words "gentilhomme" (gentleman) and "vieil" (old) are pronounced with [il] even though the following consonant is voiced. These exceptions are due to historical sound changes.

The pronunciation of French -il can be tricky for learners, but it is important to master in order to speak French correctly. By following the rules outlined above, you can ensure that you are pronouncing -il correctly every time.

Tips for Pronouncing French -il

Here are a few tips for pronouncing French -il correctly:
Pay attention to the following consonant sound. If it is voiced, pronounce -il as [ij]. If it is voiceless, pronounce -il as [il].
Practice saying the words listed above. This will help you to get used to the different pronunciations.
Listen to native French speakers. This will help you to hear how -il is pronounced in real speech.

With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce French -il correctly every time.

2025-01-19

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