bourse versus bourde
/buʁs/ vs /buʁd/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A2+ · Français universitaire
Échange Erasmus: French dialogue with IPA and English
Follow all six turns, inspect the pronunciation, and practise the contrasts that matter inside this situation.
Six turns for this web role-play
French conversation, IPA, and English meaning
- MoiJ'ai été accepté pour un semestre à Paris!1
/ʒe ete aksepte puʁ œ̃ səmɛstʁ a paʁi/
I've been accepted for a semester in Paris! - AmiFélicitations! Tu as trouvé un logement?2
/felisitasjɔ̃ ty a tʁuve œ̃ lɔʒmɑ̃/
Congratulations! Have you found accommodation? - MoiC'est difficile, je cherche une colocation.3
/sɛ difisil ʒə ʃɛʁʃ yn kɔlɔkasjɔ̃/
It's difficult, I'm looking for a shared flat. - AmiRegarde sur les groupes étudiants sur Facebook.4
/ʁəɡaʁd syʁ le ɡʁupz‿etydjɑ̃ syʁ fɛjsbuk/
Look on the student groups on Facebook.The /z/ link in groupes étudiants is optional and included in this careful reading. Facebook and Erasmus use suggested name readings.
- MoiJe vais aussi demander une bourse Erasmus.5
/ʒə vɛz‿osi dəmɑ̃de yn buʁs eʁasmys/
I'm also going to apply for an Erasmus grant. - AmiTu vas vivre une expérience incroyable là-bas!6
/ty va vivʁ yn ɛkspeʁjɑ̃s ɛ̃kʁwajabl la ba/
You're going to have an incredible experience there!
How to read this IPA. These are broad French reference readings, edited as complete sentences. Accent, schwa and optional liaison vary; many speakers use /ɛ̃/ where this reference keeps /œ̃/. The mark ‿ highlights a word link; | marks a rhythmic break; ↑ and ↓ suggest pitch movement.
Word readings adapted from Lexique 3.83, Boris New and Christophe Pallier et al.; sentence readings and notes edited by Parle. Revised IPA and notes: CC BY-SA 4.0. See OQLF on obligatory, forbidden and optional liaison. Reviewed .
Culture and context in French
Read the situation beyond the individual lines.
Erasmus aide les étudiants à étudier dans un autre pays européen. Ce séjour permet de pratiquer une langue et de découvrir une nouvelle culture.
Four focused comparisons
Compare words before another full read.
Follow each card’s label and note. Some words differ by one sound, some share a pronunciation, and others differ more broadly. Use the sentence context when the words sound alike.
logement versus logiciel
/lɔʒəmɑ̃/ vs /loʒisjɛl/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
séjour versus secours
/seʒuʁ/ vs /səkuʁ/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
accueil versus écueil
/akœj/ vs /ekœj/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Word IPA adapted from Lexique 3.83, Boris New and Christophe Pallier et al., with contextual readings and notes edited by Parle. Comparison transcriptions and notes: CC BY-SA 4.0. Broad reference readings vary with accent and speaking style. See OQLF’s liaison guidance and prosody reference. Reviewed .
Role-play routine
Keep the intention; change one detail.
- Read the exchange once for meaning without stopping at every IPA symbol.
- Repeat one speaker's turns and keep the other turns as prompts.
- Change one time, place, object, or preference while preserving the structure.
- Switch roles and answer without reading the original line word for word.
- Use the sound chart for a reference clip when a sound is difficult.
Build a guided speaking habit in Parle.
The app follows a separate 120-mission course with model audio, recording and practical replies. The first 4 missions on greetings and introductions are free; Premium opens the complete course.