L'homme versus Le hamac
/lɔm/ vs /lə amak/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
A2 · French pronunciation lesson
H muet et H aspiré (Le mystère du H): 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.
Distinguer le H qui permet la liaison/élision de celui qui les bloque comme une consonne.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1L'homme est là.
/lɔm ɛ la/
The man is there. - 2Le hockey est dur.
/lə ɔkɛ ɛ dyʁ/
Hockey is hard.Hockey has h aspiré: keep le rather than l’. There is no pronounced h.
- 3C'est‿un hôtel.
/sɛt‿œ̃n‿otɛl/
It's a hotel.Hôtel has h muet: c’est links to un, and un links to hôtel.
- 4La honte est grande.
/la ɔ̃t ɛ ɡʁɑ̃d/
The shame is great. - 5L'homme de l'hôtel joue au hockey ce soir.
/lɔm də lotɛl ʒu o ɔkɛ sə swaʁ/
The man from the hotel plays hockey tonight. - 6C'est‿un bel‿homme qui n'a pas honte.
/sɛt‿œ̃ bɛl‿ɔm ki na pa ɔ̃t/
He is a handsome man who is not ashamed.Bel–homme is enchaînement: the l is already pronounced. Honte has h aspiré, so pas does not link to it.
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. Académie française: hockey. 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.
Les hôtels versus Les halles
/lez‿otɛl/ vs /le al/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
Un hiver versus Un hibou
/œ̃n‿ivɛʁ/ vs /œ̃ ibu/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
L'heure versus La hache
/lœʁ/ vs /la aʃ/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
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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