Pain versus Bain
/pɛ̃/ vs /bɛ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A2- · French pronunciation lesson
Consonnes non aspirées (p, t, k): phrase and IPA practice
Read six useful French phrases, check their IPA and English meaning, then compare four words, phrases, or spoken forms.
Teacher note
What to notice before you repeat.
Éviter de rejeter de l'air lors de l'émission des consonnes p, t, k (différent de l'anglais).
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Un papa content.
/œ̃ papa kɔ̃tɑ̃/
A happy dad. - 2Une petite table.
/yn pətit tabl/
A small table. - 3Le café est chaud.
/lə kafe ɛ ʃo/
The coffee is hot. - 4Quatre pommes.
/katʁ pɔm/
Four apples. - 5Papa est content de manger quatre pommes rouges.
/papa ɛ kɔ̃tɑ̃ də mɑ̃ʒe katʁ pɔm ʁuʒ/
Dad is happy to eat four red apples. - 6Sur la petite table, il y a un cadeau pour le capitaine.
/syʁ la pətit tabl il ja œ̃ kado puʁ lə kapitɛn/
On the small table, there is a gift for the captain.
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 .
Four focused comparisons
Compare the words, sounds, or delivery.
Read the label on each card. A one-sound contrast changes one sound; other cards compare whole words, identical readings, connected speech, or intonation. Follow the note before repeating.
Train versus Drain
/tʁɛ̃/ vs /dʁɛ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Car versus Gare
/kaʁ/ vs /ɡaʁ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Pont versus Bon
/pɔ̃/ vs /bɔ̃/
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 .
A short repeat routine
Meaning first, then shape, then speed.
- Read the English meaning so the line has a clear intention.
- Use the IPA to locate the target sound or connection.
- Repeat slowly without adding an English-style extra vowel.
- Follow the comparison card’s note and return to the complete phrase.
- Use the sound chart to hear a reference for a sound you find difficult.
Evidence boundary
IPA is a reference, not a pronunciation score.
The transcription and contrasts support deliberate practice. They do not certify an accent, diagnose a speech issue, or prove CEFR proficiency. Phrase Match in the app reports detected words and can be wrong.
Start a guided speaking task in Parle.
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