piste versus poste
/pist/ vs /pɔst/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A2+ · Français du sport
Ski: 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
- MoiJe voudrais louer des skis et des bâtons.1
/ʒə vudʁɛ lwe de ski e de batɔ̃/
I would like to rent skis and poles. - LoueurQuel est votre niveau? Débutant ou confirmé?2
/kɛl ɛ vɔtʁ nivo | debytɑ̃ u kɔ̃fiʁme/
What is your level? Beginner or advanced? - MoiJe suis intermédiaire, je descends les pistes bleues.3
/ʒə sɥiz‿ɛ̃tɛʁmedjɛʁ ʒə desɑ̃ le pist blø/
I am intermediate, I ski down blue runs. - LoueurN'oubliez pas le casque pour votre sécurité.4
/nublije pa lə kask puʁ vɔtʁ sekyʁite/
Don't forget the helmet for your safety. - MoiEst-ce que le forfait est inclus dans le prix?5
/ɛs kə lə fɔʁfɛ ɛt‿ɛ̃kly dɑ̃ lə pʁi/
Is the lift pass included in the price?Est inclus links /t/ in this careful reference. Skis is /ski/, without a pronounced final /s/.
- LoueurNon, il faut l'acheter aux caisses des remontées.6
/nɔ̃ il fo laʃəte o kɛs de ʁəmɔ̃te/
No, you have to buy it at the lift ticket offices.
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.
Le ski est une activité phare de l'hiver en France. Les Alpes et les Pyrénées offrent des domaines immenses. Il est crucial de respecter les règles de sécurité.
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.
neige versus nage
/nɛʒ/ vs /naʒ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
bâton versus béton
/batɔ̃/ vs /betɔ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
glace versus grâce
/ɡlas/ vs /ɡʁas/
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.