route versus roue
/ʁut/ vs /ʁu/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
A2- · Français du voyage
Location de voiture: 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
- ClientBonjour, je voudrais louer une voiture.1
/bɔ̃ʒuʁ ʒə vudʁɛ lwe yn vwatyʁ/
Hello, I would like to rent a car. - AgentPour combien de jours en avez-vous besoin?2
/puʁ kɔ̃bjɛ̃ də ʒuʁ ɑ̃n‿ave vu bəzwɛ̃/
How many days do you need it for?En avez-vous links /n/ to avez. In avez-vous, the final spelling z does not create a /z/ before the consonant /v/.
- ClientPour une semaine, je vais visiter la Provence.3
/puʁ yn səmɛn | ʒə vɛ vizite la pʁɔvɑ̃s/
For a week, I'm going to visit Provence. - AgentVous préférez une boîte manuelle ou automatique?4
/vu pʁefeʁe yn bwat manɥɛl u otɔmatik/
Do you prefer manual or automatic transmission? - ClientUne automatique, avec une assurance tous risques.5
/yn otɔmatik avɛk yn asyʁɑ̃s tu ʁisk/
An automatic, with full coverage insurance. - AgentC'est noté, j'ai besoin de votre permis de conduire.6
/sɛ nɔte | ʒe bəzwɛ̃ də vɔtʁ pɛʁmi də kɔ̃dɥiʁ/
Noted, I need your driver's license.
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.
Une voiture permet de découvrir des lieux loin des villes. Regardez le prix de l'essence et respectez les limitations de vitesse. Les routes françaises sont généralement bonnes.
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.
louer versus jouer
/lwe/ vs /ʒwe/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
frein versus franc
/fʁɛ̃/ vs /fʁɑ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
pneu versus peu
/pnø/ vs /pø/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
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.