French Pronunciation Guide328
French pronunciation can be tricky for non-native speakers, but with a little practice, you can master the basics. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Vowels
French vowels are pronounced differently from English vowels. Here is a table of the main French vowels and their pronunciations:| Vowel | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a | ah | chat |
| e | eh | été |
| i | ee | ici |
| o | oh | orange |
| u | oo | tu |
Nasal vowels are a special type of vowel that is pronounced with the back of the tongue raised towards the roof of the mouth. Nasal vowels are marked with a tilde (~) over the vowel.| Vowel | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ã | ahng | pain |
| ẽ | ehn | vin |
| ĩ | een | fin |
| õ | ohng | bon |
| ũ | oon | un |
Consonants
French consonants are generally pronounced similarly to English consonants, but there are a few key differences.
The letter "c" is pronounced like the letter "s" before the vowels "e", "i", and "y".
The letter "g" is pronounced like the letter "j" before the vowels "e", "i", and "y".
The letter "h" is silent.
The letter "j" is pronounced like the letter "y".
The letter "r" is pronounced with a trill.
The letter "u" is pronounced like the letter "w" before the vowels "a" and "o".
The letter "x" is pronounced like the letter "ks".
The letter "z" is pronounced like the letter "s".
Liaison
Liaison is the linking of the final consonant of one word to the initial vowel of the next word. Liaison is used to make speech sound more fluid and natural.
Here are some examples of liaison:
Je suis étudiant. (I am a student.)
Je m'appelle Marie. (My name is Marie.)
Il est gentil. (He is kind.)
Elle est belle. (She is beautiful.)
Nous sommes amis. (We are friends.)
Elision
Elision is the dropping of the final vowel of a word before a word that begins with a vowel.
Here are some examples of elision:
L'homme (the man)
L'enfant (the child)
L'ami (the friend)
L'école (the school)
L'université (the university)
Practice
The best way to improve your French pronunciation is to practice regularly. Here are some tips to help you practice:
Listen to French music and podcasts.
Watch French movies and TV shows.
Read French books and articles.
Talk to native French speakers.
Take a French pronunciation class.
With a little practice, you'll be able to master French pronunciation and speak the language like a native.
2025-01-27
Previous:The Pronunciation of App in French

Unlocking Korean Pronunciation: A Beginner‘s Guide to Mastering the Sounds
https://www.linguavoyage.org/ol/74716.html

Arabic Language Job Market: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects
https://www.linguavoyage.org/arb/74715.html

Unlocking Language Learning: A Comprehensive Guide to Elephant Video English Teaching
https://www.linguavoyage.org/en/74714.html

Decoding the MMORPG Jargon: A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Gaming Terms
https://www.linguavoyage.org/ol/74713.html

Confession, Apology, and Korean Phonetics: A Deep Dive into Expressing Regret
https://www.linguavoyage.org/ol/74712.html
Hot

Bourgeoisie: The Rising Class of the French Revolution
https://www.linguavoyage.org/fr/55615.html

French without the Accent
https://www.linguavoyage.org/fr/320.html

How to Pronounce the 26 Letters of the French Alphabet
https://www.linguavoyage.org/fr/818.html

Should You Enroll in French Classes or Study on Your Own?
https://www.linguavoyage.org/fr/969.html

Self-Teaching French to A1 Level: Everything You Need to Know
https://www.linguavoyage.org/fr/43540.html