French Alphabet Learning
Master the French alphabet with detailed pronunciation guides, examples, and audio practice. Each letter is presented with its French pronunciation, English approximation, and practical usage examples.
The French Alphabet
Learning the French Alphabet
The French alphabet has the same 26 letters as English, but each letter has its own French pronunciation. Mastering the alphabet is essential for spelling, pronunciation, and understanding spoken French. Each letter can be pronounced individually or used in combination with others to form different sounds.
Pronunciation Tips
French letter pronunciation is quite different from English. Listen carefully to each letter and practice saying them aloud. Pay special attention to letters like 'H' (silent), 'R' (rolled), and vowels which have distinct French sounds.
The French alphabet has the same 26 letters as English, but each letter has its own French pronunciation. Mastering the alphabet is essential for spelling, pronunciation, and understanding spoken French. Each letter can be pronounced individually or used in combination with others to form different sounds.
Pronunciation Tips
French letter pronunciation is quite different from English. Listen carefully to each letter and practice saying them aloud. Pay special attention to letters like 'H' (silent), 'R' (rolled), and vowels which have distinct French sounds.
| Letter | French Pronunciation | English Approximation | Go to Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | a | ah | Go |
| B | bรฉ | bay | Go |
| C | cรฉ | say | Go |
| D | dรฉ | day | Go |
| E | e | euh | Go |
| F | effe | eff | Go |
| G | gรฉ | zhay | Go |
| H | ache | ahsh | Go |
| I | i | ee | Go |
| J | ji | zhee | Go |
| K | ka | kah | Go |
| L | elle | ell | Go |
| M | emme | emm | Go |
| N | enne | enn | Go |
| O | o | oh | Go |
| P | pรฉ | pay | Go |
| Q | cu | koo | Go |
| R | erre | err | Go |
| S | esse | ess | Go |
| T | tรฉ | tay | Go |
| U | u | oo | Go |
| V | vรฉ | vay | Go |
| W | double vรฉ | doo-bluh-vay | Go |
| X | ixe | eeks | Go |
| Y | i grec | ee-grek | Go |
| Z | zรจde | zed | Go |
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Letter A
A
French Pronunciation: a (similar to "ah" in English)
English Approximation: ah
IPA Symbol: /a/
English Approximation: ah
IPA Symbol: /a/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| arbre | tree | |
| ami | friend | |
| auto | car | |
| avion | airplane |
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Letter B
B
French Pronunciation: bรฉ (similar to "bay" in English)
English Approximation: bay
IPA Symbol: /be/
English Approximation: bay
IPA Symbol: /be/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| bonjour | hello | |
| bleu | blue | |
| boire | to drink | |
| beau | beautiful |
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Letter C
C
French Pronunciation: cรฉ (similar to "say" in English)
English Approximation: say
IPA Symbol: /se/
Note: C can be hard (like 'k') or soft (like 's') depending on the following letter
English Approximation: say
IPA Symbol: /se/
Note: C can be hard (like 'k') or soft (like 's') depending on the following letter
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| chat | cat | |
| cafรฉ | coffee | |
| cours | class | |
| ciel | sky |
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Letter D
D
French Pronunciation: dรฉ (similar to "day" in English)
English Approximation: day
IPA Symbol: /de/
English Approximation: day
IPA Symbol: /de/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| deux | two | |
| dire | to say | |
| doux | soft | |
| donner | to give |
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Letter E
E
French Pronunciation: e (similar to "euh" in English)
English Approximation: euh
IPA Symbol: /ษ/
Note: E can have different sounds: รฉ (ay), รจ (eh), รช (eh), e silent
English Approximation: euh
IPA Symbol: /ษ/
Note: E can have different sounds: รฉ (ay), รจ (eh), รช (eh), e silent
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| รฉcole | school | |
| รชtre | to be | |
| eau | water | |
| elle | she |
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Letter F
F
French Pronunciation: effe (similar to "eff" in English)
English Approximation: eff
IPA Symbol: /ษf/
English Approximation: eff
IPA Symbol: /ษf/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Franรงais | French | |
| faire | to do | |
| fille | girl | |
| froid | cold |
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Letter G
G
French Pronunciation: gรฉ (similar to "zhay" in English)
English Approximation: zhay
IPA Symbol: /สe/
Note: G can be hard (like 'g' in "go") or soft (like 'zh') depending on the following letter
English Approximation: zhay
IPA Symbol: /สe/
Note: G can be hard (like 'g' in "go") or soft (like 'zh') depending on the following letter
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| grand | big | |
| gare | station | |
| gens | people | |
| goรปt | taste |
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Letter H
H
French Pronunciation: ache (similar to "ahsh" in English)
English Approximation: ahsh
IPA Symbol: /aส/
Note: H is usually silent in French
English Approximation: ahsh
IPA Symbol: /aส/
Note: H is usually silent in French
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| heure | hour | |
| homme | man | |
| hรดtel | hotel | |
| hier | yesterday |
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Letter I
I
French Pronunciation: i (similar to "ee" in English)
English Approximation: ee
IPA Symbol: /i/
English Approximation: ee
IPA Symbol: /i/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| ici | here | |
| il | he | |
| idรฉe | idea | |
| image | image |
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Letter J
J
French Pronunciation: ji (similar to "zhee" in English)
English Approximation: zhee
IPA Symbol: /สi/
English Approximation: zhee
IPA Symbol: /สi/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| je | I | |
| jour | day | |
| joli | pretty | |
| jouer | to play |
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Letter K
K
French Pronunciation: ka (similar to "kah" in English)
English Approximation: kah
IPA Symbol: /ka/
English Approximation: kah
IPA Symbol: /ka/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| kilo | kilogram | |
| kayak | kayak | |
| kiwi | kiwi | |
| karatรฉ | karate |
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Letter L
L
French Pronunciation: elle (similar to "ell" in English)
English Approximation: ell
IPA Symbol: /ษl/
English Approximation: ell
IPA Symbol: /ษl/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| lire | to read | |
| livre | book | |
| lieu | place | |
| lundi | Monday |
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Letter M
M
French Pronunciation: emme (similar to "emm" in English)
English Approximation: emm
IPA Symbol: /ษm/
English Approximation: emm
IPA Symbol: /ษm/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| maman | mom | |
| manger | to eat | |
| maison | house | |
| monde | world |
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Letter N
N
French Pronunciation: enne (similar to "enn" in English)
English Approximation: enn
IPA Symbol: /ษn/
English Approximation: enn
IPA Symbol: /ษn/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| non | no | |
| nom | name | |
| nouveau | new | |
| noir | black |
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Letter O
O
French Pronunciation: o (similar to "oh" in English)
English Approximation: oh
IPA Symbol: /o/
English Approximation: oh
IPA Symbol: /o/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| oรน | where | |
| oui | yes | |
| ouvrir | to open | |
| orange | orange |
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Letter P
P
French Pronunciation: pรฉ (similar to "pay" in English)
English Approximation: pay
IPA Symbol: /pe/
English Approximation: pay
IPA Symbol: /pe/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| papa | dad | |
| parler | to speak | |
| petit | small | |
| pouvoir | can |
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Letter Q
Q
French Pronunciation: cu (similar to "koo" in English)
English Approximation: koo
IPA Symbol: /ky/
English Approximation: koo
IPA Symbol: /ky/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| que | what | |
| qui | who | |
| quand | when | |
| quatre | four |
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Letter R
R
French Pronunciation: erre (similar to "err" in English)
English Approximation: err
IPA Symbol: /ษส/
Note: French R is rolled/guttural, very different from English R
English Approximation: err
IPA Symbol: /ษส/
Note: French R is rolled/guttural, very different from English R
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| rouge | red | |
| rire | to laugh | |
| rue | street | |
| regarder | to look |
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Letter S
S
French Pronunciation: esse (similar to "ess" in English)
English Approximation: ess
IPA Symbol: /ษs/
English Approximation: ess
IPA Symbol: /ษs/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| salut | hi | |
| savoir | to know | |
| soleil | sun | |
| soir | evening |
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Letter T
T
French Pronunciation: tรฉ (similar to "tay" in English)
English Approximation: tay
IPA Symbol: /te/
English Approximation: tay
IPA Symbol: /te/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| tu | you | |
| temps | time | |
| tout | all | |
| travailler | to work |
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Letter U
U
French Pronunciation: u (similar to "oo" in English but with pursed lips)
English Approximation: oo
IPA Symbol: /y/
Note: French U is unique - purse your lips as if to say "oo" but say "ee"
English Approximation: oo
IPA Symbol: /y/
Note: French U is unique - purse your lips as if to say "oo" but say "ee"
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| un | one | |
| une | a/an | |
| utile | useful | |
| universitรฉ | university |
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Letter V
V
French Pronunciation: vรฉ (similar to "vay" in English)
English Approximation: vay
IPA Symbol: /ve/
English Approximation: vay
IPA Symbol: /ve/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| vous | you | |
| voir | to see | |
| vert | green | |
| venir | to come |
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Letter W
W
French Pronunciation: double vรฉ (similar to "doo-bluh-vay" in English)
English Approximation: doo-bluh-vay
IPA Symbol: /dublษ ve/
Note: W is not originally French and appears mainly in borrowed words
English Approximation: doo-bluh-vay
IPA Symbol: /dublษ ve/
Note: W is not originally French and appears mainly in borrowed words
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| week-end | weekend | |
| web | web | |
| wifi | wifi | |
| wagon | wagon |
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Letter X
X
French Pronunciation: ixe (similar to "eeks" in English)
English Approximation: eeks
IPA Symbol: /iks/
English Approximation: eeks
IPA Symbol: /iks/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| exemple | example | |
| excuser | to excuse | |
| excellent | excellent | |
| expliquer | to explain |
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Letter Y
Y
French Pronunciation: i grec (similar to "ee-grek" in English)
English Approximation: ee-grek
IPA Symbol: /i gสษk/
Note: Called "Greek i" because it comes from the Greek alphabet
English Approximation: ee-grek
IPA Symbol: /i gสษk/
Note: Called "Greek i" because it comes from the Greek alphabet
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| yaourt | yogurt | |
| yeux | eyes | |
| yoga | yoga | |
| yen | yen |
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Letter Z
Z
French Pronunciation: zรจde (similar to "zed" in English)
English Approximation: zed
IPA Symbol: /zษd/
English Approximation: zed
IPA Symbol: /zษd/
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| zรฉro | zero | |
| zone | zone | |
| zoo | zoo | |
| zeste | zest |
French Accents (Les Accents)
Understanding French Accents
French accents are diacritical marks that change the pronunciation and meaning of letters. They are essential for proper French spelling, pronunciation, and comprehension. Each accent has specific rules and affects how words are pronounced and understood.
Accent Tips
Learning accents is crucial for reading French correctly. Pay attention to how each accent changes the sound of the base letter. Missing accents can completely change word meanings!
French accents are diacritical marks that change the pronunciation and meaning of letters. They are essential for proper French spelling, pronunciation, and comprehension. Each accent has specific rules and affects how words are pronounced and understood.
Accent Tips
Learning accents is crucial for reading French correctly. Pay attention to how each accent changes the sound of the base letter. Missing accents can completely change word meanings!
| Accent Type | Examples | Function | Go to Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accent Aigu (รฉ) | cafรฉ, รฉtรฉ | Makes 'e' sound like 'ay' | Go |
| Accent Grave (รจ, ร , รน) | mรจre, ร , oรน | Changes sound; distinguishes words | Go |
| Circonflexe (รช, รข, รฎ, รด, รป) | รชtre, รขge, รฎle | Historical; sometimes changes sound | Go |
| Trรฉma (รซ, รฏ, รผ, รฟ) | Noรซl, maรฏs | Separates vowel sounds | Go |
| Cรฉdille (รง) | franรงais, garรงon | Makes 'c' soft before a, o, u | Go |
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Accent Aigu (รฉ)
รฉ
Name: Accent aigu (acute accent)
Pronunciation: Makes 'e' sound like 'ay' in English
IPA Symbol: /e/
Usage: Only appears on the letter 'e' and changes its pronunciation
Pronunciation: Makes 'e' sound like 'ay' in English
IPA Symbol: /e/
Usage: Only appears on the letter 'e' and changes its pronunciation
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| cafรฉ | coffee | |
| รฉtรฉ | summer | |
| รฉlรฉphant | elephant | |
| mรฉdecin | doctor | |
| รฉcrire | to write | |
| tรฉlรฉvision | television |
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Accent Grave (รจ, ร , รน)
รจ ร รน
Name: Accent grave (grave accent)
Pronunciation: โข รจ = 'eh' sound (open e)
โข ร = same as 'a' but distinguishes meaning
โข รน = same as 'u' but distinguishes meaning
Usage: Changes pronunciation (รจ) or distinguishes words (ร , รน)
Pronunciation: โข รจ = 'eh' sound (open e)
โข ร = same as 'a' but distinguishes meaning
โข รน = same as 'u' but distinguishes meaning
Usage: Changes pronunciation (รจ) or distinguishes words (ร , รน)
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| mรจre | mother | |
| pรจre | father | |
| frรจre | brother | |
| ร | to/at | |
| lร | there | |
| oรน | where |
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Accent Circonflexe (รช, รข, รฎ, รด, รป)
รช รข รฎ รด รป
Name: Accent circonflexe (circumflex accent)
Pronunciation: โข รช = 'eh' sound (like รจ)
โข รข = slightly longer 'ah'
โข รฎ = 'ee' sound
โข รด = 'oh' sound
โข รป = 'oo' sound
Usage: Historical marker; sometimes indicates a lost 's' from old French
Pronunciation: โข รช = 'eh' sound (like รจ)
โข รข = slightly longer 'ah'
โข รฎ = 'ee' sound
โข รด = 'oh' sound
โข รป = 'oo' sound
Usage: Historical marker; sometimes indicates a lost 's' from old French
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| รชtre | to be | |
| tรชte | head | |
| รขge | age | |
| pรขte | dough/pasta | |
| รฎle | island | |
| hรดtel | hotel | |
| sรปr | sure |
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Trรฉma (รซ, รฏ, รผ, รฟ)
รซ รฏ รผ รฟ
Name: Trรฉma (diaeresis/umlaut)
Pronunciation: Each vowel is pronounced separately
Function: Indicates that adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately, not as a diphthong
Usage: Prevents vowel combinations from creating single sounds
Pronunciation: Each vowel is pronounced separately
Function: Indicates that adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately, not as a diphthong
Usage: Prevents vowel combinations from creating single sounds
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Noรซl | Christmas | |
| naรฏve | naive | |
| maรฏs | corn | |
| coรฏncidence | coincidence | |
| aiguรซ | acute (feminine) | |
| Capharnaรผm | chaos |
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Cรฉdille (รง)
รง
Name: Cรฉdille (cedilla)
Pronunciation: Makes 'c' sound like 's'
IPA Symbol: /s/
Usage: Used with 'c' before 'a', 'o', 'u' to maintain the soft 's' sound
Rule: Without cedilla, 'c' before 'a', 'o', 'u' would sound like 'k'
Pronunciation: Makes 'c' sound like 's'
IPA Symbol: /s/
Usage: Used with 'c' before 'a', 'o', 'u' to maintain the soft 's' sound
Rule: Without cedilla, 'c' before 'a', 'o', 'u' would sound like 'k'
| French Examples | English Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| franรงais | French | |
| garรงon | boy | |
| leรงon | lesson | |
| faรงon | way | |
| reรงu | received | |
| รงa | that |
Complete French alphabet and accents with detailed pronunciation guides and examples.
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