Study the ABCs of the French Alphabet To Pronounce Phrases Extra Confidently

The trickiest letters within the French alphabet

The French alphabet pronunciation chart is only the start. English audio system might want to pay shut consideration to those difficult letters within the alphabet within the French language to keep away from confusion. 

Letters “e” and “i”

In French the letter “e” is pronounced “euh.” To approximate this sound, attempt saying the phrase “her” very slowly, however stopping your self earlier than you begin to shut your mouth to pronounce the “r.” 

The letter “i” is pronounced “ee.” Understanding the French alphabet so as may also help, because you’ll say “ahsh, ee, zjee, kah” (h, i, j, ok) in sequence. 

Letters “g” and “j”

Each “g” and “j” have a softer “j” sound to them. This “j” sound is pronounced just like the “s” in “Asia” or “treasure.” However the final a part of the sound is completely different.

They are often difficult as a result of “g” is “zjay” and “j” is “zjee.” Memorizing the sequence “euh, eff, zjay” for “e, f, g” may also help you keep in mind which is which. 

The French “u” sound

English doesn’t have this sound, so it takes some observe to study. Strive holding out the sound “eeee.” With out altering the sound of the vowel, spherical your lips into the form of “oooo.” You’ll hear this sound in lots of French phrases resembling:

• tu = you
• du = of the
• la rue = the road
• salut = hello
• J’ai lu le livre. = I learn the e-book. (previous tense) 
• J’ai vu le movie. = I noticed the film. 

Typically when mixed with different letters, “u” has a distinct sound, like in jeune (younger), the place “eu” appears like “euh,” or in jaune (yellow) the place “au” appears like “oh.” 

>>Mastered the French alphabet? Study French numbers subsequent!

Widespread French accent marks

Along with the alphabet characters, French accent marks, also called diacritical marks, are a part of how French phrases are spelled. The Académie Française decides when alternate spellings, resembling omitting the circonflexe (^), are formally accepted. 

You possibly can enhance your French pronunciation by being aware of how completely different sounds are shaped and the way accents have an effect on the pronunciation of letters.

French pronunciation information utilizing the alphabet and accent marks

You can begin to grasp French pronunciation utilizing the alphabet, however French isn’t pronounced phonetically. It has many phonemes or combos of letters that type sons (sounds). Some combos of letters and accent marks will change the pronunciation of a letter inside a phrase. Because of French grammar guidelines, the spelling of a phrase and the pronunciation will change. 

The charts beneath present a really simplified illustration of French sounds. Precise pronunciation varies vastly, as a result of there are various French dialects world wide, every with their very own distinctive accents! 

Les voyelles (the vowels)

French comprises over a dozen completely different vowel sounds together with nasal vowels past simply “ah” “eh” “ee” “oh” and the distinct French “u.”