Bonjour, French Pronunciation Made Easy30

Introduction

Bonjour is a French greeting that means "good day" or "hello." It is pronounced "bohn-zhoor." The "o" in "bonjour" is nasalized, meaning that the sound is produced with the back of the tongue raised and the nasal passages open. The "j" in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "j" in the English word "judge." The "r" in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "r" in the English word "car." Let's explore some tips to master the pronunciation of "bonjour".

Tips for Pronouncing Bonjour
Start with the "b" sound. The "b" sound in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "b" sound in the English word "book."
Nasalize the "o" sound. To nasalize the "o" sound, raise the back of your tongue and open your nasal passages. The sound should be produced through your nose, not just through your mouth. You can practice nasalizing the "o" sound by saying the English word "long." The "o" sound in "long" is nasalized.
Pronounce the "j" like the "j" in "judge." The "j" sound in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "j" sound in the English word "judge." To make the "j" sound, raise the middle of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth and then quickly lower it. The sound should be produced with the tip of your tongue touching the back of your lower teeth.
Pronounce the "r" like the "r" in "car." The "r" sound in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "r" sound in the English word "car." To make the "r" sound, curl the tip of your tongue up and back towards the roof of your mouth. The sound should be produced with the tip of your tongue vibrating against the roof of your mouth.
Put it all together. Once you have mastered the individual sounds in "bonjour," you can put them all together to say the word correctly. Remember to nasalize the "o" sound and to pronounce the "j" and "r" sounds correctly.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes that people make when pronouncing "bonjour":
Pronouncing the "o" sound like the "o" sound in "book." The "o" sound in "bonjour" is nasalized, meaning that it is produced through the nose. The "o" sound in "book" is not nasalized.
Pronouncing the "j" sound like the "j" sound in "jump." The "j" sound in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "j" sound in the English word "judge." The "j" sound in "jump" is pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the roof of the mouth.
Pronouncing the "r" sound like the "r" sound in "rabbit." The "r" sound in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "r" sound in the English word "car." The "r" sound in "rabbit" is pronounced with the tip of the tongue curled up and back towards the roof of the mouth.

Conclusion

Pronouncing "bonjour" correctly is not difficult as long as you understand the basic rules of French pronunciation. Remember to nasalize the "o" sound, to pronounce the "j" like the "j" in "judge," and to pronounce the "r" like the "r" in "car." With a little practice, you will be able to say "bonjour" like a native French speaker.

Bonjour is just one of many French words and phrases that you can learn to pronounce correctly. By following the tips in this article, you will be well on your way to speaking French like a pro.

2025-02-13

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