French Pronunciation Guide28

French pronunciation can be tricky for native English speakers, but with a little practice, you can master the basics. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Vowels

French vowels are pronounced differently than English vowels. The following table shows the most common French vowels and their pronunciation:| Vowel | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| a | ah |
| e | eh |
| i | ee |
| o | oh |
| u | oo |
| y | ee |

Note that the pronunciation of some vowels can change depending on the surrounding consonants. For example, the vowel "a" is pronounced differently in the words "chat" (cat) and "pas" (not).

Consonants

French consonants are also pronounced differently than English consonants. The following table shows the most common French consonants and their pronunciation:| Consonant | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| b | b |
| c | k |
| d | d |
| f | f |
| g | g |
| h | silent |
| j | zh |
| k | k |
| l | l |
| m | m |
| n | n |
| p | p |
| q | k |
| r | r |
| s | s |
| t | t |
| v | v |
| w | double-v |
| x | ks |
| y | y |
| z | z |

Note that the pronunciation of some consonants can change depending on the surrounding vowels. For example, the consonant "c" is pronounced differently in the words "chat" (cat) and "ce" (this).

Stress

Stress in French is usually placed on the last syllable of a word. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, words that end in "-ent" or "-er" are stressed on the second-to-last syllable.

Intonation

Intonation in French is used to convey meaning. For example, a rising intonation at the end of a sentence can indicate a question. A falling intonation can indicate a statement.

Liaison

Liaison is the linking of the final consonant of a word to the initial vowel of the following word. This is done to make the pronunciation of the two words smoother. For example, the words "je" (I) and "aime" (love) are pronounced "j'aime" when they are spoken together.

Elision

Elision is the dropping of a vowel sound at the end of a word. This is done to make the pronunciation of the two words smoother. For example, the words "le" (the) and "ami" (friend) are pronounced "l'ami" when they are spoken together.

Contraction

Contraction is the shortening of a word by omitting one or more sounds. This is done to make the pronunciation of the word easier. For example, the word "nous" (we) is often pronounced "nouz".

Practice

The best way to improve your French pronunciation is to practice. Try to listen to native French speakers and imitate their pronunciation. You can also practice by reading French aloud. With a little practice, you'll be able to master the basics of French pronunciation.

2025-02-19

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