6.1: Vowels - Introduction
- Page ID
- 264899
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)In this section, you will be introduced to French vowels.
Listen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.
Let's get started!
Vowels
Vowels are usually challenging for French learners. Written vowels are the same in French and English: a, e, i, o, u. However, in spoken French there are at least 19 different vowel sounds. Here are the vowel sounds you will need to practice:
| Vowels | Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| i | like "ee" in see | fini, lit, difficile |
| u | How to pronounce u | Tu, chute, rue |
| é | How to pronounce é | Pied, chez, marcher, clé |
| è, ê | How to pronounce è & ê | Mère, fête |
| e | How to pronounce e | Le, ce, de |
| eu | How to pronounce eu | Peu, queue, peur, jeuner |
| o | How to pronounce o | Sot, tôt, dos |
| on | How to pronounce on | Son, ton, Breton |
| ou | How to pronounce ou like "oo" in zoo | Coupe, fou, poubelle |
| oi | How to pronounce oi | Moi, toi, froid, boîte |
| oin | How to pronounce oin | Coin, besoin, soin |
| œ | How to pronounce œ | Sœur, cœur, œuf |
| au, eau | How to pronounce au, eau | Beau, faux |
| en, an, em, am | How to pronounce en, an, em, am | An, bilan, silence, |
| in, ain, un | How to pronounce in, ain, un | Pain, lapin, sain, fin, un |
- Practice pronouncing French vowels with this video tutorial on Vowel sounds in French.
- Practice pronouncing different combinations of vowels with this video: vowel sounds in combination.
The Silent E
An unaccented e (or es) at the end of a word is usually silent:
française, plage, rêves, nuages, arrive
When the silent e is added to a word ending with a silent consonant, then that consonant should be pronounced.
|
Silent Consonants |
Examples |
Pronounced when followed by e |
|---|---|---|
|
-d |
canard , quand |
fade, stade |
|
-p |
trop |
clope |
|
-s |
tas, draps |
phase |
|
-t |
chocolat, appétit |
petite |
Note
- When these letters are followed by the plural -s, they remain silent: draps, petits, grands, filles etc.
- The letters d, p, s, t, x and z may be pronounced whenever there is a liaison.
Learning how to pronounce correctly takes time and practice. Above all, you need to listen to as much French as possible.
- Watch this video for a general introduction to French Pronunciation.
- Watch this tutorial on Silent letters, then answer this question: What are the CRFL and Big Good Quality Kale rules?
- You can practice your French pronunciation with this Video tutorial: Pronounce the 100 most common French words. Try to repeat everything you hear (practice makes perfect).
- You can listen to how specific words are pronounced by visiting the How to Pronounce channel on YouTube.
- You can hear audio recordings of French words and more at: audiofrench.com. If you want to go all out, consult the French Pronunciation: Ultimate Guide.
- Have fun practicing your pronunciation with these tongue-twisters, or virelangues. Also try les virelangues.
- Practice French pronunciation with this video of illustrated French sounds.
Let's practice!
Activity
Listen and determine whether the pronounced letters are consonants or vowels.
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?
- Vowel or Consonant ?