fête versus faite
/fɛt/ vs /fɛt/
These reference readings sound the same. Use spelling and sentence context to tell the forms apart.
A2 · Français social
La fête des voisins: 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
- VoisinOn organise un buffet dans la cour vendredi.1
/ɔ̃n‿ɔʁɡaniz œ̃ byfɛ dɑ̃ la kuʁ vɑ̃dʁədi/
We're organizing a buffet in the courtyard on Friday.On organise links /n/. Buffet ends in /ɛ/ without a final /t/.
- MoiSuper idée! Je peux apporter une quiche?2
/sypɛʁ ide | ʒə pø apɔʁte yn kiʃ/
Great idea! Can I bring a quiche? - VoisinAvec plaisir! On s'occupe des boissons.3
/avɛk plɛziʁ | ɔ̃ sɔkyp de bwasɔ̃/
With pleasure! We'll take care of the drinks. - MoiÀ quelle heure est-ce que ça commence?4
/a kɛl œʁ ɛs kə sa kɔmɑ̃s/
What time does it start? - VoisinÀ partir de dix-neuf heures, venez en famille.5
/a paʁtiʁ də diz nœv‿œʁ | vəne ɑ̃ famij/
From seven o'clock, come with your family. - MoiC'est noté, à vendredi alors, cher voisin!6
/sɛ nɔte | a vɑ̃dʁədi alɔʁ ʃɛʁ vwazɛ̃/
Got it, see you on Friday then, dear neighbor!
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. OQLF: huit. OQLF: sept and neuf. OQLF: six and dix. Reviewed .
Culture and context in French
Read the situation beyond the individual lines.
La Fête des Voisins vise à rompre l'isolement dans les villes. C'est un moment de convivialité simple où chacun partage un plat. Cela renforce la solidarité et la bonne entente.
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.
voisin versus voisine
/vwazɛ̃/ vs /vwazin/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
bruit versus brûle
/bʁɥi/ vs /bʁyl/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
rue versus roue
/ʁy/ vs /ʁu/
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.