Do you find the information below useful? If you do, you can get guides like it for 1,000+ French words by downloading this app for your iPhone or iPad.
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. | |
e | ![]() | The French 'close e' vowel, often written é, is pronounced with the tongue almost as far forward in the mouth as it will go, and fairly close to the roof of the mouth. Keep your lips fairly spread and aim to "hold your tongue and lips in position" (to avoid producing it as a "glide" or diphthong) as you pronounce it. | |
f | ![]() | The French 'f' sound is pronounced in a similar way to English 'f'. | |
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. | |
i | ![]() | The French 'i' vowel is pronounced with the tongue almost as far forward and close to the roof of the mouth as it will go and with the lips spread. Aim to "tense" your lips for a moment as you pronounce it. | |
t | ![]() | The French 't' is pronounced like an English 't' after a 'th' sound (as in "with two"). Your tongue touches the back of the teeth. Also try to avoid a "strong burst of air" (aspiration) as in English. If you are a native English speaker, repeat the word "tool" then "stool" with your hand in front of your mouth. In "tool", you'll feel a stronger burst of air than in "stool". In French, pronounce the 't' as in English "stool", without the strong burst of air. | |
ə | ![]() | The 'schwa' or 'neutral e' is pronounced with the tongue in a "central, relaxed" position and the mouth also in a 'half open, relaxed' position. Note that many French speakers actually tend to pronounce this vowel as a 'close eu' vowel (as occurs at the end of words ending in -euse), or at least with some rounding of the lips. | Notice how this sound is pronounced as a little "off-glide" at the end of the word even though there isn't an -e in the spelling. It doesn't receive stress, and would typically disappear when followed by another word. |