8.4: The Challenging Vowel U
- Page ID
- 269178
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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 learn how to pronounce the letter u.
Listen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.
Let's get started!
The letter u has two pronunciations in French: [y] or [ɥ].
U as [y]
The letter u usually sounds like [y]. To make this sound, pucker your lips like you are about to blow out a candle or kiss someone, then say "ee" [i]:
tu, vu, sucre, musique
It can also be written as û, with a circumflex:
dû, chûte
U vs. OU
U [y] and ou [u] are two different vowel sounds that should not be confused in French. Otherwise, the meaning of the word may change.
For example:
| U | OU |
|---|---|
| vu (seen) | vous (you) |
| pue (stink) | poux (louse) |
| but (goal) | bout (end) |
U = [ɥ]
When a u is followed by a vowel, it is pronounced [ɥ] like an English w, but with tightly pursed lips. This sound is called a semi-vowel because it almost sounds like you're saying and English w.
huit, huile, pluie, Suède
Other combinations with U
Just when you think it couldn't get any more difficult, you will see that the letter u can participate in a variety of other sounds depending on what it is combined with. For example:
| Combination | Sound | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AU, EAU | [o] | jaune, beau |
| EU | [œ] | feu, peur |
| EU | [y] | eu (past participle of avoir) |
| EUIL, EUILL | [œj] | chevreuil, feuille |
| OU | [u] | fou, coup |
| OUIL, OUILL | [uj] | trouille, grenouille, bouillier, fenouil |
| UEIL, UEILL | [œj] | accueil, fauteuil, accueillir |
| UN, UM | [œ̃] | un, lundi, parfum |
VIDEOS
Let's practice !
Activity A
U v. OU
Listen and repeat:
- nous / rue / loup / mur / muse / poule / bus / tour / rhume / sûre
- début / voyou / toutou / voiture / virgule / autour / futur / sucre
- culture / Toulouse / troubadour
Activity B
U vs. I
Listen and repeat:
- lu / lit / vie / bus / skis / qui / sur / fiche / ville
- prune / lire / ligne / luxe / pipe / rhume / type
- habits / salut! / facile / satire / lunettes / finir / citrons / pyrex / inerte