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l | ![]() | The French 'l' is similar to the 'l' in English "with Lee". The tongue tip usually touches the back of the upper teeth. It is also a so-called "clear" l: in other words, you don't raise the back of your tongue as you pronounce the French 'l', as occurs in some cases in English. | |
ɛ | ![]() | The French 'open e' vowel, is pronounced with the tongue almost as far forward in the mouth as it will go, but with the mouth a bit more than half open. Keep your lips unrounded and aim to "hold your tongue and lips in position" (to avoid producing it as a "glide" or diphthong) as you pronounce this vowel. | |
s | ![]() | A French 's' sound is made in a very similar way to an English 's' sound, by bringing the front part of the tongue very close to the ridge behind the teeth, causing friction as the air escapes. However, many English speakers use the very tip of the tongue, whereas in French it is common to use the part of the tongue just behind the tip (called the "blade" of the tongue). | |
p | ![]() | A French 'p' is generally pronounced in a similar way to an English 'p' in "spit", "sport" etc. In other words, it is not usually followed by a "strong burst of air" (aspiration) as in the 'p' sound of English "pit", "port" etc. If you are a native English speaker, put your hand in front of your mouth while you say "port" then "sport"; you'll feel a stronger breath of air with the first of these words. When you pronounce a French 'p' sound, you do so as in the second of these words, so that you don't hear or feel the strong breath of air. | |
w | ![]() | This is a sound a little like an English "w", where you glide rapidly between a French 'ou' vowel and another vowel. When a French 'ou' vowel is followed by another vowel, the 'ou' usually automatically turns into this glide. | |
a | ![]() | The French 'a' vowel is pronounced with the tongue far forward in the mouth and the mouth quite wide open, but not quite as open as for a typical English 'a' vowel. | Notice how this vowel is lengthened here before the r sound at the end of the word. |
ʁ | ![]() | The French 'r' is generally what is technically called a "uvular fricative". In simple language, that means you bring the back of your tongue close enough to the back of the mouth that it causes friction (the "raspy" sound that you hear) with the escaping air. |