Dix versus Du
/dis/ vs /dy/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
A1- · French pronunciation lesson
Distinction [y], [u] et [i] (Le triangle des voyelles): 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.
Entraîner la transition rapide entre les voyelles les plus proches pour affiner l'oreille.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Dis-lui bonjour.
/di lɥi bɔ̃ʒuʁ/
Say hello to him/her. - 2Il fait nuit.
/il fɛ nɥi/
It is night. - 3C'est vraiment utile.
/sɛ vʁɛmɑ̃ ytil/
It's really useful. - 4Je suis dans la rue.
/ʒə sɥi dɑ̃ la ʁy/
I am in the street. - 5Dis-lui de venir me voir avant la nuit.
/di lɥi də vəniʁ mə vwaʁ avɑ̃ la nɥi/
Tell him/her to come see me before night. - 6Je suis dans la rue et j'attends le bus depuis dix minutes.
/ʒə sɥi dɑ̃ la ʁy e ʒatɑ̃ lə bys dəpɥi di minyt/
I am in the street and I have been waiting for the bus for ten minutes.Dix is /di/ before minutes. Bus is shown with final s; /by/ is also used.
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.
Riz versus Roue
/ʁi/ vs /ʁu/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Vu versus Vie
/vy/ vs /vi/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Loup versus Lu
/lu/ vs /ly/
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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