How to Pronounce French J and G Like a Native87

## The Pronunciation of French J and G
In French, the letters j and g can be pronounced in two different ways, depending on the surrounding letters. This can be a bit confusing for learners, but it's actually quite simple once you understand the rules.
## The Pronunciation of J
The letter j is pronounced like the English y in "yes" when it is followed by a vowel. For example, the word "jardin" (garden) is pronounced [ʒaʁdɛ̃].
However, when j is followed by a consonant, it is pronounced like the English z in "zoo." For example, the word "je" (I) is pronounced [ʒə].
## The Pronunciation of G
The letter g is pronounced like the English g in "go" when it is followed by a, o, or u. For example, the words "gare" (station), "goût" (taste), and "guitare" (guitar) are pronounced [gaʁ], [gu], and [ɡitaʁ], respectively.
However, when g is followed by e or i, it is pronounced like the English s in "sin." For example, the words "génie" (genius) and "glace" (ice) are pronounced [ʒeːni] and [glas], respectively.
## Exceptions to the Rules
There are a few exceptions to the rules for pronouncing j and g. For example, the word "je" (I) is pronounced [ʒə] even though it is followed by a vowel. Additionally, the word "général" (general) is pronounced [ʒeːneʁal] even though it is followed by a.
These exceptions can be a bit confusing, but they are relatively few in number. Once you have learned the basic rules for pronouncing j and g, you will be able to pronounce most French words correctly.
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2024-11-17

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