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Pronunciation Chart
This is a quick reference guide to help you learn and practice the sounds of the French language.
CONSONANT SOUNDS
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FRENCH SPELLING
APPROXIMATE SOUND
EXAMPLE
b, d, k, l, m, n, p, s
t, v, zsame as in English c (before e, i, y) s cinéma c (before a, o, u) k cave ç (appears only before
a, o, u)s français ch sh chaud g (before e, i, y) zh in measure âge g (before a, o, u) g in game gâteau gn ny in onion agneau h always silent homme j zh in measure Jacques qu, final q k qui r pronounced in back of mouth, rolled like light gargling sound Paris ss s tasse s (beginning of word ar before/after consonant) s salle, disque, absurde s (between vowels) z in Zelda maison th t thé x gz in exact exact x ks in excellent excellent II (between i and e) y in yes volaille ll l in ill elle
VOWEL SOUNDS
NASAL VOWELS
Nasal vowels are sounds produced when air is expelled from both the mouth and the nose. In French, a consonant, n or m, that follows a nasal vowel is not fully pronounced. For example, the French word on: We pronounce the nasal vowel o through the mouth and nose, but we do not sound the following consonant n.
FRENCH SPELLING |
APPROXIMATE SOUND |
EXAMPLE |
an, en | vowel in balm | France |
em | vowel in balm | emmener |
in, ain, ein | vowel in man | fin |
im, aim | vowel in man | faim |
ien | y + vowel in men | bien |
ion | y + vowel in song | station |
oin | w + vowel in man | loin |
on | vowel in song | bon |
om | vowel in song | tomber |
un | vowel in lung | un |
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