Basic French Pronunciation Principals Flashcards
E after vowels is __? Ex: Une bougie
E after vowels is silent
ex:
-ie - une bougie
-ue - une avenue
-oue - la boue
-aie - la monnaie
-oie - la joie
-eue - la queue
-c - c at the end of words is __? ex: un banc
Silent! = -c ex: un banc, blanc (c not pronounced)
-consonant+f —> f is ___? Ex: un cerf
- -consonant+f = un cerf (f not pronounced), le nerf
-l (l at the end of words) is ____? Ex: un fusil
-l = silent ex: un outil, un fusil (l not pronounced)
-s is ___? Ex: un bras
Silent! = -s ex: un bras, le repos (s not pronounced)
-x is _____? Ex: un choix
Silent = -x ex: un choix, une croix, deux (x not pronounced)
-z is ____? Ex: le nez
Silent! = -z ex: le nez, chez, du riz (z not pronounced)
-t is ____? Ex: l’art
Silent = -t ex: l’art, le concert, un dessert (t not pronounced)
-p is ____? Ex: trop
Silent = -p ex: beaucoup, trop (p not pronounced)
-g is _____? Ex: le poing
Silent = -g ex: le poing (g not prounced)
1. Exception: English words with -ing ex: smoking, camping
-d is _____? Ex: le did
Silent! = -d ex: le did, sound (d no pronounced)
-b is ____?
Silent = -b -> usually pronounced except for le plumb -> b not pronounced but le club, le toubib (doctor), snob -> b is pronounced
É = ?
é = ay + [e] (mangé, une télévision)
Ai = ?
Ai = [e] ay (aimer, je ferai, (future tense je: je ferai, je mangerai, je serai
-er = ?
Ex: un escalier
Er = [e] ay (un escalier, un clavier)
Ez = ?
Ez = [e] ay (assez, un nez, chez)
-Ed = ?
Ed = [e] ay (un pied)
E- = ?
E- = [e] ay (effacer)
Et (on its own/as a word itself) = ?
Et = [e] ay AND ai as in fair — in a word it’s è but on it’s own it’s é
È = ?
è = [3 backwards] = Like fAIr but shorter sound ex: le père, la mère, Une bière, la fièvre, fière
È = ?
è = ai [3 backwards] (le père, la mère, chère, une bière, la fièvre, fière)
Ê = ?
ê = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (une fête, une tête)
Ë = ?
ë = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (Noël)
E before last audible letter = ? Ex: le mer
e (fair sound) (before the last audible letter) = ai [3 backwards] (le mer, Cher, sec, zen, net, cet)
E before two consonants = ? Ex: celle
e (before two consonants) = ai (fair sounds) [3 backwards] (celle, la Terre, une selle, le reste, un verbe, une veste)
-ais = ?
-ais = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (un français, mais)
-ait = ?
-ait = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (de lait, un fait)
-aient = ?
-aient = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (ils seraient)
Ei = ?
ei = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (une reine, la neige)
-et = ?
-et = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (un bracelet, un alphabet)
-ai- and -ai = ?
-ai- = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (la laine, faire, un balai, le délai, vrai, j’aime, une semaine, une fraise, une aile, une paire)
Exceptions ai with fair sound
Exceptions: ai = [e (upside down like uh) ex: je faisais, nous faisions, ils faisaient
Es and est = ?
Es + est = ai [3 backwards] (es, est)
Es = ?
Es (in small words) = ai (fair sound) [3 backwards] (des, les, ces)
-ey = ?
-Ey = ai [3 backwards] (un poney)
-ect = ? Ex: un suspect
-ect = ai [3 backwards] (un suspect, le respect, un aspect)
Middle nasal = __ = [ã]
4 possible uses: —, —,—,—.
Middle nasal = an = [ã]
An ex: le sand, tant, changer, un an = Middle nasal = an = [ã]
En ex: lent, les enfants, le ventre = Middle nasal = an = [ã]
Am ex: un champ, un jambon, un tambour = Middle nasal = an = [ã]
Em ex: le temps, la remplir, novembre = Middle nasal = an = [ã]
—-
lowest nasal = __ and __ (only when before __ or __) = [backwards c with a ~ on top]
lowest nasal = on = [backwards c with a ~ on top]
om is like on when before pronounced b or p (computer, un nom, un zombie)
ex: bondé, conquérir, un don (a gift), fonder, une gondole, une jonquille, longue, monter, un canon, un pont (bridge), un biberon, songer, un tonton (uncle), nous bravons (we brave), nous bronzons (we tan)
Top nasal = x7 types + 1 exception = [ 3 backwards with ~]
Top nasal = IN - IM - AIN - EIN - AIM - YN - YM = [ 3 backwards with ~]
IN = le jardin, le singe = [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
AIN = un pain, une main, demain = [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
IM = simple, impossible, le timbre = [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
EIN = une peinture, un frein, un sein = [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
AIM = la faim, un daim = [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
YN = un lynx, un larynx = [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
EN(an exception) = un examen [3 backwards with ~] = Top nasal
___ and ___ = (middle vowel alt) = [œ - with ~ at the top] = the same as IN but south of Paris it has some of a e sound in it]
UN = [œ - with ~ at the top] = the same as IN but south of Paris it has some of a e sound in it]
Chacun, Brun, Un
UM - [œ - with ~ at the top] = the same as IN but south of Paris it has some of a e sound in it]
Humble, le parfum
I + IN =
IEN = [j3 (backwards with ~) = I + IN
ex: un bien, un musicien, un chien, mien, rien, un comédien
OIN =
OIN = [wē] = W+IN
Ex: moin, un soin, loin, rejoindre, un shampoing, un besoin, un joint, un coin, une point, du foin)
NASAL VOWELS DISAPPEAR WHEN FOLLOWED BY ___?
NASAL VOWELS DISAPPEAR WHEN FOLLOWED BY A VOWEL or H:
Ex: le parfum -> parfumer, un jardin -> jardiner, bon -> bonne, un nom -> nommer, un bon homme
E —> a - 3 examples
E —> a
Une femme, évidemment, prudemment -> e = [a]
Read these words which have a mute e
MUTE E IN WORDS:
Un biberon, Une boulangerie, Allemagne, Rapidement, Lentement, Un rangement, un bracelet, un passeport, une enveloppe, une promenade, nous nageons
Y before consonant = ____ ex: un cycle
Y before consonant = [i]
ex: un cycle, un hymne
i before vowel = ___ ex: bien
[j] = y in yes, rolling i
I before vowel = [j]
ex: dieu, bien
Y between two vowels —>
ex: royal
[j] = y between two vowels
ex: royal, joyeux
Exception to a laison
Un yacht = no liaison
Two letter combinations with open o:
___ and ___
Au = [o] (open o) ex: une pause, la sauce, aucun
Eau = [o] (open o) ex: un gâteau, un château, beau
Note: sounds like the letter o
OI = ___
OI = [wa] ex: voir, le roi, boire, un doigt (finger), la joie (once)
U vs ou
U = [y] = û (more of an uuuuu sound than [u] which is more of an oooo sound)
ex: une chute, une flûte, la lutte, une bûche
Ou = où = [u] (more of an oooo sound than [y] which is more of a uuuu sound)
Bu, la boue,
Un cul, le cou,
Du, doux,
Je jure, le jour,
Du jus, la joue,
Lu, le loup,
Le pull, une poule,
Pur, pour,
La rue, la roue,
Dessus, dessous,
Tu, tout,
Vu, vous
U after g and q ex: la langue
U after g and q = Don’t pronounce u after g and q = la langue, longue, une queue, un quart
Ou before a vowel ex: oui
Ou before a vowel = w [w] = oui, un jouet, l’ouest
ui = __
ui = wi [upside down h]
ex: une nuit, fuir, une buisson, a cuisson, enduite, fuir, juillet, luire, puis, je suis
IL = ILLE = ___
IL = ILLE = [ij] = rolling i
ex: la famille, la vanille, une chenille, mille, la ville, tranquille, une fille, une quille, une grille, les papilles, un gorille
AIL = AILLE = __
AIL = AILLE = [aj] = a + yyyyyyu
AIL = [aj] = a + yyyyyyu ex: un éventail, un épouvantail, de l’ail, un détail
AILLE = [aj] = a + yyyyyyu ex: travailler, une paille, une mailler, de la volaille, une bataille,une entaille
EIL = EILLE = AY = ___
EIL = EILLE = AY = [backwards 3 like ay + [j]/rolling I]
EIL = [backwards 3 like ay + [j]/rolling I] Ex: l’eveil, le soleil, pareil, le réveil, le sommeil, un conseil
EILLE = [backwards 3 like ay + [j]/rolling I] Ex: une groseille, une bouteille, une merveille, une oreille
AY = [backwards 3 like ay + [j]/rolling I] Ex: essayer, payer, Mayer, égayer, balayer, effrayer
OUILLE = ___
OUILLE = [uj] = oooo + rolling I
ex: une grenouille, les nouilles, la fouille, une ratatouille, une gargouille, douillet, verrouiller, la rouille, mouiller, une dépouille
UEIL (after _ and _) =
UEILLE (after _ and _) =
œIL =
EUIL =
EUILLE =
UEIL (after c and g) =
UEILLE (after c and g) =
œIL =
EUIL =
EUILLE = [ŒJ] = uh + rolling i
eu + vowel or last letter of the word = open =[ø] ex: je jeux, bleu
eu + consonant = closed = [œ] ex: un meuble, un tracteur
ex: la seuil, la fauteuil, une feuille, un portefeuille, l’accueil, u, un cercueil, l’orgueil, cueillir
B pronounced: (x3)
Otherwise it’s __________
B pronounced: ex: le club, le toubib, snob
Otherwise it’s silent
Hard g — before ___ and ___ AND ___,___and ___
Soft g — before ___ or ___
[g] = hard g -> before r and l ex: grave, grand, un gland AND a. o. u. Ex: un gâteau, un gorille, une bague (u not pronounced but makes the g hard)
-Gg- + -ing = [g] -> when it’s a foreign word ex: un legging, le jogging
[3] = soft g (lip placement changes depending on the sound after) before e or I ex: un nuage, le gîte, changer
-gg- = une suggestion - sug-zzestion - su[g]-[3]estion
G not pronounced: ___ and ___
G not pronounced:
-g ex: le sang, le rang
-gt ex: le doigt
EGGS
EGGS
Un œuf -> des œufs -> don’t pronounce fs in plural and it’s an o open sound
BEEF
BEEF
Un bœuf -> des bœufs -> don’t pronounce fs in plural and it’s an o open sound
EYES
EYES
Un œil [œj] -> des yeux = [jø]
BONE
BONE
Un os -> des os
Plus -> when pronounce s and when don’t?
Plus -> when pronounce s and when don’t?
-> pronounce s with “more”
-> don’t pronounce s when mean “not anymore”
Tous -> when pronounce s and when don’t?
Tous -> when pronounce s and when don’t?
-> pronounce s with people Tous etudiants
-> don’t pronounce s with objects tous cuilleres
Vingt - pronounce t? G?
Vingt - can pronounce t or not but we never pronounce g
-bs- = ___
-bs- = [ps]
Absolument = -bs- = [ps]
Absent = -bs- = [ps]
-aon -> ____ (special cases - 3)
SPECIAL CASES
-aon -> Middle nasal = an = [ã]
un faon = -aon -> Middle nasal = an = [ã]
Un taon = -aon -> Middle nasal = an = [ã]
Un paon = -aon -> Middle nasal = an = [ã]
-c- = ____
-c- = [g]
Une seconde -> segond/e
-en —> __
-en [e with ~ on top] - top nasal
Un examen = -en [e with ~ on top] - top nasal
Aimer
How differently pronounced between infinitive to conjugated?
A i = [e] eh not ay
Aimer - ay-meh
But conjugated it’s the exception
J’aime -> j’ehme
Tu aimes -> tu ehme
Il/elle aime -> il/elle ehme
-mn- = ____
-mn- = [n]
L’automne -mn- = [n]
Condamner -mn- = [n]
-pt = ___
-pt = [t] p not pronounced
Sept = -pt =[t] p not pronounced
Compter = -pt = [t] p not pronounced
Un comptable =-pt = [t] p not pronounced
—s = [s] pronounced a lot with nouns ending in —
__ __and —__ __
—s = [s] pronounced a lot with nouns ending in -us and -is
Un ours = [s] pronounced
Un virus = [s] pronounced
Un tournevis = [s] pronounced
Un utérus = [s] pronounced
Un pénis = [s] pronounced
Le tennis = [s] pronounced
Un fils = [s] pronounced (l not pronounced)
Un rhinocéros = [s] pronounced
Du couscous = [s] pronounced
Monsieur —— > on = ? + r = ?
-on- = [upside down e/uh]
Ex: monsieur -> muh-si-u (open) + r is not pronounced
An exception to the nasa vowel “on”
-ai- = [upside down e/uh] —> what verb?
faire - to do
-ai- = [upside down e/uh]
(Past tense)
Nous faisons -> feh-zon
Je faisais -> feh - zay
Tu Faisais -> feh - zay
Elle/Il faisait -> feh - zay
Vous faisiez -> feh-zi-ay
Ils/elles faisaient -> feh-zay
EXCEPTION —> one word
(Unusual pronunciation/exception)
Oi— -> _________ - like o [backwards c/closed o] instead of the usual oi = wa
Oi -> un oignon - like o [backwards c/closed o] instead of the usual oi = wa
-e- -> [a] -> usually before ____
Ex: violemment
-e- -> [a] -> usually when e followed by mm
Innocemment -> c = s b/c of e after, e = [a]
Intelligemment -> e = [a]
Violemment -> e = [a]
X— = ___ ex: Xavier -> gzavier, un xylophone -> un gzylophone
X before vowel = ____ex: un exemple
X before consonant = ___ ex: un texte
X in numbers = ___ ex: deuxième (second), dixième (ordinal numbers it comes up a lot)
X in short words = ___ex: dix, six
X— = [gz] ex: Xavier -> gzavier, un xylophone -> un gzylophone
X before vowel = [gz] ex: un exemple
X before consonant = [ks] ex: un texte
X in numbers = [z] ex: deuxième (second), dixième (ordinal numbers it comes up a lot)
X in short words = [s] ex: dix, six
Liaisons with a d ending = ___
Liaisons with a d ending = [t]
Ex” un grand arbe = un gran tarbe
LAISON RULES
Liaisons with __,__,__ = [z]
Ex: vous avez, deux ans, Chez elle, neuf ans
__ + vowel = N ex: mon avis, ton état, son orange
__ + vowel = v ex: neuf ans
___ + vowel = k ex: cinq ans
___ + vowel = r ex: premier enfant
LAISON RULES
Liaisons with s, x, z endings = [z]
n + vowel = N ex: mon avis, ton état, son orange
f + vowel = v ex: neuf ans
q + vowel = k ex: cinq ans
r + vowel = r ex: premier enfant
W- = ___
W = [v]
ex: un wagon
-tien- = ____
-tien- = [s ien]
ex: un patient, la patience (c is also s)
-tion = ____
-tion = [s ion]
Ex: attention, une récréation, une action
-t = usually ____ (ex: tout) but in small words usually ____
Ex: mat, net, un but (a goal)
-t = usually silent (ex: tout) but in small words usually pronounced
Ex: mat, net, un but (a goal)
Th = ____
Th = [t] (h not pronounced)
s between two vowels = ___ ex une maison
s between two vowels = [z]
ex: une maison une télévision, une chaise
sc- = ___ ex un score
sc- = [sk]
ex: un scandale, un score, un scorpion
Exception -> z like a [s]
Exception -> z like a [s]
les aztèques
-sc- = ____
ex: une piscine
-sc- = [s]
ex: descendre -> sc = [s] also: une piscine, un ascenseur
usually don’t pronounce s at the end of words.
Exceptions— x3
usually don’t pronounce s at the end of words.
Exceptions:
un ours - a bear
un sens - a sense
un virus - a virus
P = [p]
1) English words we pronounce p at end:
__,__,___
2) -pt- = ___
3) Not pronounced at end of word but three exceptions ___,__,___
4)
-mpt- = p is ____
P = [p]
1) English words we pronounce p at end: top, stop, le rap (rap)
2) -pt- = p + t ex: un symptôme, somptueux, dompter
3) Not pronounced at the end of words otherwise: Ex: trop, un drap, un camp
4) -mpt- = p not pronounced in these words: compter, un acompte, un comptable
Special cases with -aon = ___ vowel and are three examples: ___ , __ , ___
Special cases with -aon Middle nasal = an = [ã]
ex: un faon (fawn), un taon (horsefly), un paon (peacock)
C = [k] = hard c -> followed by ___, ___, ___
C = [k] = hard c -> followed by a, o, u
ex: contre, carré, la culture,
_cqu = ___
ex: grecque
_cqu = [k]
Ex: acquérir, grecque, acquitter
_ct = ____ (sometimes)
Ex: direct, le tact, exact
_ct = ____
Ex: le suspect, un aspect, le respect
_ct = [kt] (sometimes)
Ex: direct, le tact, exact
_ct = silent
Ex: le suspect, un aspect, le respect
cc + e.i. = ___
ex: un accent, accélérer, le succès
cc + e.i. [ks]
ex: un accent, accélérer, le succès
C = [s] = ____ -> followed by __ or ___
C = [s] = soft, s-like c -> followed by e., I
ex: le ciel, un citron, celle
ç + ___, ___, ___ = [s]
ç + a, o, u = [s]
Ex: un garçon, ça, François
C not pronounced:
- ___c
- ___t
BUT ___ct pronounced [kt]: _____,_____,_____
C not pronounced:
__ nc ex: blanc
__ct ex: le suspect, un aspect, le respect
BUT ___ct pronounced [kt]: direct, le tact, exact
C = g in these exceptions:
__c__ = [g] ex: ______,______
C = g in these exceptions:
ex: une seconde, le second
Ch + Sch = _____
Except: beginning of _____: it’s [k]
Ch + Sch = [~f] (sh)
Except: beginning of names: it’s [k] = Chris, Christian, Chrétien
In liaison —> d becomes ___
In liaison —> d becomes t ex: un grand arbre -> un gran Tarbre
F = FF = PH = ____
F at the end —> ______ ex: nerf, veuf
exception: - rf ex: ____, ______
F = FF = PH = [f]
F at the end —> pronounced ex: nerf, veuf
exception: - rf ex: un cerf, un nerf
__f -> ____ in liaisons
__f -> [V] in liaisons
H = can act as vowel (must) (with ___,___,___,___ before) or consonant (aspiré) (with ___,___,___,___)
H = can act as vowel (must) (with le, la, un, une before) or consonant (aspiré) (with le - la - un - une)
H = middle of the world - it’s ______ vowels ex: dehors, un véhicule, un souhait)
H = middle of the word - it’s separating vowels ex: dehors, un véhicule, un souhait)
K = Q = QU = [k] = hard c (c followed by —,—,—)
QU = ___
-q = ___
K = Q = QU = [k] = hard c (c followed by a, o, u)
QU = [k] = quand, un quai, quoi, la liqueur, le cirque, chaque, tranquille
-q = [k] = cinq, le coq
L = [l]
- Exceptions for -ille -> where it’s not a i+y sound, it’s an i+[l]/L sound (only happens 5% of the time, most times it’s the i+y sound) -> ___,___,_____
L = [l]
- Exceptions for -ille -> where it’s not a i+y sound, it’s an i+[l]/L sound (only happens 5% of the time, most times it’s the i+y sound) -> une Ville, mille, tranquille
GN + oi = ____
GN + anything but oi = ____
NG = usually with American words and pronounced like American with a nasal element
GN + oi = [n]
GN + oi = [n] ex: Une baignoire, Un peignoir (pronounced exactly the same except for b and p)
GN + anything but oi = [n with a tail on left] = ni (n + rolling I - nnnn ) =un agneau, un compagnon, un champignon
NG = usually with American words and pronounced like American with a nasal element
-gt- = ____
-gt- = [t] longtemps (long time) , vingtième, une vingtaine
[ŒJ] = uh + rolling i =
_____ (after c and g) =
_____ (after c and g) =
_____ =
_____ =
_____ =
UEIL (after c and g) =
UEILLE (after c and g) =
œIL =
EUIL =
EUILLE = [ŒJ] = uh + rolling i
Beaucoup pronunciation.
Bow—cooooo
as __ as ___ (comparing ex: as instelligente as marc) (literally also X as Y)
aussi ___ que ___- (aussi intelligente que ___ )
when using the best (superlative) what preposition do you need after it?
de ex: la plus grande fille DE…
right or wrong?
raison ou tort
a cold
un rhume
a broken leg
une jame cassée
a toe
un doigt de pied
when turning an adjective into an adverb add what ending?
Ex: adjective lent. What add to end to make an adverb?
-ment
if adjective ends in x what is ending of the adverb that’s made from it?
-CEment
soft -> softly (adjective -> adverb)
doux -> doucement
proud -> proudly (adjective -> adverb)
fier -> fièrement
real -> really (adjective -> adverb)
réel -> réellement
happy -> happily (adjective -> adverb)
heureux -> heureusement
unhappy - > unhappily (adjective -> adverb)
malheureux -> malheureusement
resolute -> resolutely (adjective -> adverb)
résolu -> résolument
at ease -> comfortably (adjective -> adverb)
aisé -> aisément
noisy -> noisily (adjective -> adverb)
bruyant -> bruyamment
quelquefois always at the beginning of a sentence?
generally yes
to grow up
grandir
demain can go where in sentence?
beginning or end - but usually beginning
terribly
terriblement
without a doubt
sans doute
as much as
autant que
refreshments
rafraîchissements
above her
au-dessus d’elle
for oneself
pour soi
Stressed pronouns: I, you, he, she, we (informal), we, you them(m), them(f)
moi, toi, lui, elle, soi, nous, vous, eux, elles
What are direct objects?
receive the action of the verb directly and are NEVER proceeded by a proposition
Do subject pronouns get an apostrophe before a word starting with a vowel? if so when exactly and which ones?
yes and only with a verb - tu and je
reflexive pronouns: I, you (sing), him/herself, we, you (pl.), themselves
(Are they abbreviated and if so what does it look like?)
me (m’), te (t’), se (s’), nous, vous, ‘se (s’)
indirect pronouns: to him/her, to them
lui (used for both masculine and feminine), leur
direct pronouns: him, her, him/her before a word starting with a consonant), them
le, la, l’, les
from afar
de loin
to watch
regarder
where does an object pronoun go when in passe compose?
between the subject pronoun and etre/avoir
enormously
enormément
