French Pronunciation teaching guide for beginners : Learn
how to pronounce French words the right way
By French Teacher Aaron Gino TOSSOU
Table of Contents
1. The Stress (and why you shouldn't stress it out)
2. How to Pronounce French Vowels
Quick Recap on French Vowel Sounds
3. All About French Consonant Sounds
4. What Are French Nasal Sounds?
5. The French Variations
Quick Recap on French Variations
6. Those Flowing, Connected Sounds and How It's Done
7. Accent Marks (and the difference it makes)
What are accent marks for?
8: French and English Similarities in Pronunciation
9: The French Alphabet Sounds
1. The Stress (and why you shouldn't stress it out)
When compared to the English language, French pronunciation has a more distinct sound and a flat
intonation. The stress is mostly even except for the last syllable which is given a tad bit more of an
emphasis.
Check out this example where we will use the word IMPORTANT. Notice the difference in the stress
between the two:
In English: im-POR-tant, while in French: ang-por-tahng
See the difference? Easy enough, right?
, For the newbie French learner, the difference between a, à, and â as well as e, é, è, and ê can get
head-swimmingly frustrating. But the truth is, it's not actually that complicated at all.
Here's a nifty guide for you to use so you could easily distinguish the pronunciation between the
letters and all its mind-boggling accents or diacritical marks (or simply put, those little thingies on top
of the letters).
Vowels Pronunciation Guide Example What the example
means
a is pronounced like 'ah' in English la (the)
à is also pronounced like 'ah là (there)
â is pronounced like 'ah' but longer âne (donkey)
e When placed in the middle of a syllable, it is mer (sea)
pronounced like ai in 'fair'
e When placed at the end of a syllable, it is le (the)
pronounced like er in 'her'
e is silent at the end of a word tasse (cup)
é is pronounced like 'ay' été (summer)
è is pronounced like ai in 'fair' père (father)
ê is also pronounced like ai in 'fair' tête (head)
i, y are pronounced like ee in 'meet' ski (skiing)
o is pronounced like o in 'not' poste (post office)
ô is pronounced like 'oh' hôtel (hotel)
u this sound does not exist in English; say 'ee' vu (seen)
with rounded lips
how to pronounce French words the right way
By French Teacher Aaron Gino TOSSOU
Table of Contents
1. The Stress (and why you shouldn't stress it out)
2. How to Pronounce French Vowels
Quick Recap on French Vowel Sounds
3. All About French Consonant Sounds
4. What Are French Nasal Sounds?
5. The French Variations
Quick Recap on French Variations
6. Those Flowing, Connected Sounds and How It's Done
7. Accent Marks (and the difference it makes)
What are accent marks for?
8: French and English Similarities in Pronunciation
9: The French Alphabet Sounds
1. The Stress (and why you shouldn't stress it out)
When compared to the English language, French pronunciation has a more distinct sound and a flat
intonation. The stress is mostly even except for the last syllable which is given a tad bit more of an
emphasis.
Check out this example where we will use the word IMPORTANT. Notice the difference in the stress
between the two:
In English: im-POR-tant, while in French: ang-por-tahng
See the difference? Easy enough, right?
, For the newbie French learner, the difference between a, à, and â as well as e, é, è, and ê can get
head-swimmingly frustrating. But the truth is, it's not actually that complicated at all.
Here's a nifty guide for you to use so you could easily distinguish the pronunciation between the
letters and all its mind-boggling accents or diacritical marks (or simply put, those little thingies on top
of the letters).
Vowels Pronunciation Guide Example What the example
means
a is pronounced like 'ah' in English la (the)
à is also pronounced like 'ah là (there)
â is pronounced like 'ah' but longer âne (donkey)
e When placed in the middle of a syllable, it is mer (sea)
pronounced like ai in 'fair'
e When placed at the end of a syllable, it is le (the)
pronounced like er in 'her'
e is silent at the end of a word tasse (cup)
é is pronounced like 'ay' été (summer)
è is pronounced like ai in 'fair' père (father)
ê is also pronounced like ai in 'fair' tête (head)
i, y are pronounced like ee in 'meet' ski (skiing)
o is pronounced like o in 'not' poste (post office)
ô is pronounced like 'oh' hôtel (hotel)
u this sound does not exist in English; say 'ee' vu (seen)
with rounded lips
