In French, vowel sounds are represented by a variety
of written forms.
Written as
Example
Sound clip
a, à, ha-
café, papa
â, as
âge, gâteau
e
le, demi
eu, u-, heu-,
coiffeur, acteur
eu, eux
deux, bleu
é, ée, hé, er, es,
ez, et
été,
allé
ê, è, e,, ai, ais, ait, ei,
aî, ë, et
maison, frère
i, ie, is, î, hi, y, ï
fille, midi
o, au, eau, aux, eaux, os, ô, hô
numéro, château
o, ho, hô
comme, téléphone
u, û, hu
tu, rue
ou, où, oû, oo, hou, oux
douze, rouge
Nasal Vowels
an
chambre, prendre
on
mon, comprendre
The following sounds are quite similar so don't
worry if you find it difficult to hear the difference. More and more French
people ignore the distinction.
in
cinq, main
un
brun, lundi
Semi-vowels
i, y,il, ill
ciel, yaourt
oi, oî, ou
bonsoir, oui
ui, hui
nuit, huit
Consonants
Most consonants are pronounced as in English. The exceptions are: