How to Pronounce Au Revoir (Goodbye in French)205

Au revoir is the most common way to say goodbye in French. It is pronounced "oh ruh-vwar" with a nasalized "oh" sound. The "r" is rolled and the "v" is pronounced like the "v" in "vote." The "oi" is pronounced like the "wa" in "water." Here are some tips for pronouncing au revoir correctly:

• Start by saying the "oh" sound with your mouth open and your lips rounded.

• Then, add the "r" sound by rolling your tongue against the roof of your mouth.

• Next, say the "v" sound by placing your lower lip against your upper teeth and blowing air through your lips.

• Finally, add the "oi" sound by rounding your lips and saying the "wa" sound in "water."

Here is a practice sentence to help you pronounce au revoir:

Au revoir, mon ami. (Goodbye, my friend.)

There are some variations of au revoir that you may hear in different parts of the French-speaking world. Here are a few examples:

• Salut (informal, used among friends)

• Ciao (informal, used in Italy and France)

• Bonne journée (formal, used during the day)

• Bonne soirée (formal, used in the evening)

When choosing which variation of au revoir to use, consider the formality of the situation and your relationship with the person you are speaking to. For example, you would use salut when saying goodbye to a friend, but you would use bonne journée when saying goodbye to a colleague.

Here are some additional tips for pronouncing French words and phrases correctly:

• Pay attention to the nasal vowels. French has four nasal vowels: "a," "e," "i," and "u." These vowels are pronounced by lowering the soft palate and allowing air to flow through the nose.

• Roll your "r"s. French has a rolled "r" sound, which is produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.

• Pronounce your consonants clearly. French consonants are pronounced more clearly than English consonants.

• Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn to pronounce French correctly is to listen to native speakers and imitate their pronunciation.

With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce au revoir and other French words and phrases like a native French speaker.

2024-10-29

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