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.
n | The French 'n' sound is similar to the 'n' of English "tenth", i.e. pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the upper teeth. | ||
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. |