Are You Pronouncing These French Words Like a Pop Star?205

French is a beautiful language, but it can be tricky to pronounce correctly. If you're not careful, you could end up sounding like a pop star trying to sing in French.

Here are 15 common French words that you might be mispronouncing, along with the correct pronunciation:

1. Bonjour

The "j" in "bonjour" is pronounced like the "s" in "leisure." So, the correct pronunciation is "boh-njoor." Note that the R at the end of "bonjour" is silent unless the next word starts with a vowel.

2. Merci

The "c" in "merci" is pronounced like the "s" in "leisure." So, the correct pronunciation is "mehr-see." Similar to "bonjour," the R at the end of "merci" is silent unless the next word starts with a vowel.

3. Baguette

The "ue" in "baguette" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." So, the correct pronunciation is "bah-get."

4. Croissant

The "oi" in "croissant" is pronounced like the "wa" in "water." So, the correct pronunciation is "krwah-sohn."

5. Fromage

The "ge" in "fromage" is pronounced like the "zh" in "leisure." So, the correct pronunciation is "froh-mawj."

6. Vin

The "in" in "vin" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." So, the correct pronunciation is "van."

7. Café

The "é" in "café" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." So, the correct pronunciation is "kah-fay."

8. Au revoir

The "oi" in "au revoir" is pronounced like the "wa" in "water." So, the correct pronunciation is "oh-vwar."

9. Mademoiselle

The "oi" in "mademoiselle" is pronounced like the "wa" in "water." So, the correct pronunciation is "mad-mwah-zell."

10. Monsieur

The "on" in "monsieur" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." So, the correct pronunciation is "muh-syeur."

11. Madame

The "da" in "madame" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." So, the correct pronunciation is "mad-ahm."

12. Je vous en prie

The "je" in "je vous en prie" is pronounced like the "zh" in "leisure." So, the correct pronunciation is "zhuh-voo-zahn-pree."

13. De rien

The "de" in "de rien" is pronounced like the "d" in "dog." So, the correct pronunciation is "duh-ree-ahn."

14. Bon appétit

The "bon" in "bon appétit" is pronounced like the "ba" in "ball." So, the correct pronunciation is "bohn-ah-pay-tee."

15. À bientôt

The "à" in "à bientôt" is pronounced like the "ah" in "father." So, the correct pronunciation is "ah-bee-ahn-toh."

2025-02-20

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