Consonnes : [ʁ], [l], [j], [ɲ]
Learn four important French consonant sounds: the French r, l, y-glide, and gn.
| Français | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
🔊rouge | red | r → [ʁ] |
🔊lune | moon | l → [l] |
🔊bien | well | y / i (glide) → [j] |
🔊montagne | mountain | gn → [ɲ] |
🔊rouge | red | [ʁuʒ] |
🔊lune | moon | [lyn] |
🔊montagne | mountain | [mɔ̃taɲ] |
🔊
La lune est rouge dans la montagne.
The moon is red in the mountain.
Pronunciation Notes
The French r [ʁ] is produced at the back of the throat. [l] is clear and light—never dark like English 'ball'. The glide [j] is like a short 'y' before a vowel. gn = one sound [ɲ], similar to Spanish ñ.
r vs l: roue vs loup
roue [[ʁu]] vs loup [[lu]]
r vs l: rire vs lire
rire [[ʁiʁ]] vs lire [[liʁ]]
GN syllables: gni – gna – gnu
gni – gna – gnu
[ɲi – ɲa – ɲy]