2.18: Structure - Prononciation - Les liaisons

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Objectif

In this section, you will learn how to identify and pronounce liaisons

Media Alternative

Listen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.

On étudie !

In French, the final sound of a word sometimes links with the first letter of the following word. Consonants at the end of French words are generally silent but are usually pronounced when the word that follows begins with a vowel sound. This linking of sounds is called a liaison.

Like in the following examples the t at the end of a word is normally silent (tout, comment), but when it is followed by a vowel, we pronounce it.

À tout__à l’heure ! Comment__allez-vous ?

An s or x in a liaison sounds like the letter z:

trois__examens six__étudiants deux__hommes les__ordinateurs

Always make a liaison between a subject pronoun and a verb that begins with a vowel:

Nous__avons Ils________ont

Always make a liaison between an article and a noun that begins with a vowel:

un__étudiant les__évaluations

Never make a liaison after a proper name like Robert or Paris.

Robert est__anglais Paris est__incroyable

Never make a liaison with the word et (and).

Hélène et Anne Paul et Eric

Never make a liaison between a singular noun and an adjective that follows it.

un cours horrible un instrument élégant.

Never make a liaison between “est” and the number when telling time, but make a liaison between the number and heures.

Il est onze heures Il est une heure moins cinq. Il est six__heures.

Note

There are always exceptions to the rules and norms of a language. French speakers do not always follow these guidelines. For example, many people might say C'est incroyable without a liasion, while still making the liaison in C'est immense.

On pratique !

Activité A

Practice pronouncing the following:

les jeux olympiques

chocolat italien

les Etats-Unis

Robert et Anne

des informations

les hôtels

Paul et Yvette

Manu est avec Juliette

Bernard adore

C'est un objet

dix animaux

Les amis de nos amis

Activité B

If you hear a liaison in each statement, write oui and if you do not hear it, write non.

Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?
Liaison, oui ou non ?

Note

Les liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous liaisons).

Not all liaisons are about French pronounciation. Liaison also means "connection", "relationship", or even "liaison" in English.

Les Lisaisons dangereuses is a famous novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Explore these videos to learn more:

Ressources supplémentaires

To see when you do or don't do liaisons, watch this video: French Liaisons. (Suggestion: Concentrate more on the examples than the grammatical explanations.)