Pronunciation

What you are learning here

Goal: sound out French words when you introduce yourself (names, job context), especially:

• Key consonant sounds (m, n, ch, s, k, j/g)
• Common vowel groups (oi, ou, eau/au/o, eu…)
• Two pronunciation habits: final consonants are often silent, and words often connect (liaison)

Sound–spelling: what to do when you see these letters

French is predictable if you focus on letter groups (not single letters). Use this as a quick decision guide.

The “S sound” vs the “K sound” (common confusion)

The letter C changes sound depending on the next vowel.

Silent final consonants: what to expect (and what to pronounce)

In French, the last consonant is often not pronounced. This is why French sounds “smoother” than English.

• Often silent at the end: -n, -s, -t, -d, -x
• Example: Julien → /ʒy.ljɛ̃/ (no final “n” sound; it becomes a nasal vowel)
• Example: garçon → /ɡaʁ.sɔ̃/

Practical self-check: if you see a final consonant, try it silent first. If you later hear native speakers pronounce it, it is often because of liaison (next section) or a common exception.

Liaison: when words “link” in speech

Liaison means: a normally silent final consonant becomes pronounced because the next word starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u, or mute h).

• Pattern: final consonant + next word vowel → you link them
• You are not adding a new sound; you are reusing a final consonant that is usually silent.

When you do NOT make liaison (important for beginners)

To stay safe at A1, follow these “no-liaison” rules (they prevent common mistakes).

• No liaison between subject and verb: vous‿avez (don’t force liaison here in this course rule set)
• No liaison with et: toi et elle (no linking consonant)
• No liaison before an “h aspiré” (the h blocks linking): e.g. huit, haricot (you keep a clear break)

Tip: You cannot always “see” whether an h is mute or aspirated. At A1, learn it word by word. In your material, haricot is treated as a blocking h.

Mute H: the letter you usually don’t pronounce

In many French words, h is silent: it has no sound.

• haricot is pronounced as if it starts with a vowel sound (no English “h”)
• So focus on the first real vowel: a in haricot

Mini routine before you speak (10 seconds)

1. Spot letter groups: ch, gn, oi, ou, eau/au, etc.
2. Check the last consonant: try it silent.
3. Look at the next word: starts with a vowel sound? then consider liaison (unless it’s one of the “no liaison” cases above).
4. Say it smoothly: French prefers connected rhythm.

What to pay attention to in introductions (names and spelling)

• Julien and similar names ending in -en / -on often contain a nasal vowel (you don’t pronounce a clear final “n”).
• Hugo: the h is not pronounced; start with u sound.
• Madame / Monsieur: pronounce the final consonants lightly or not at all (focus on the vowel flow).