Vowel Pronunciation Tips French Example

a like “ah” in English la (the)

à like “ah” là (there)
â like “ah” but longer âne (donkey)
e When placed in the middle of a syllable, sounds like ai in “fair” mer (sea)
e When placed at the end of a syllable, sounds like -e- in “her” le (the)
e silent at the end of a word tasse (cup)
é like “ay” été (summer)
è like -ai- in “fair” père (father)
ê like -ai- in “fair” tête (head)
i, y like -ee- in “meet” ski (skiing)
o like -o- in “not” poste (post office)
ô like “oh” hôtel (hotel)
u This sound does not exist in English. Say “ee” then make an O shape with your lips vu (seen)
oi like “wah” roi (king)
ou like “oo” roue (wheel)
ai, ei like -e- in “let” laine (wool)
au, eau like “oh” au (to the)
eu, oeu like -er- in “her” neuf (nine)

Consonant Pronunciation Example Translation

c Pronounced “s” before “e” or “i” ceci this
à Pronounced “k” everywhere else cas case
ç like "s" ça that
ch Like “sh” chat cat
g Before “e” or “i”, sounds like “s” in measure gène gene
g Pronounced like “g” in “go” everywhere else gare train station
h Silent hôpital hospital
j Like “s” in measure je I
qu, q Like “k” qui who
r This sound does not exist in English - sound is formed at the back of the throat reine queen
s Pronounced “s” at the beginning of a word salle room
s Pronounced as “z” between two vowels chose thing

Nasal sound Pronunciation Example Translation

om, on Like “ong” in song nom name
son sound
un Like “ung” in sung un one
am, an Like “ahng” champ field
em, en sang blood
temps time
en in
im, in Like “ang” in sang timbre stamp
aim, ain, ein vin wine
faim hunger
pain bread
chien dog
ien Like “ee-ang” bien well