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A2 · French pronunciation lesson

Intonations montante et descendante (Affirmation vs Question): phrase and IPA practice

Read six useful French phrases, check their IPA and English meaning, then compare four sound pairs.

Practise this lesson in ParleStart with the phrases

Teacher note

What to notice before you repeat.

Maîtriser la courbe mélodique pour distinguer une déclaration d'une interrogation ou d'une hésitation.

Six lines from the current app lesson

French phrases with IPA and English meaning

  1. 1
    Tu viens. (↓)

    /ty vjɛ̃s. (↓)/

    You are coming.
  2. 2
    Tu viens? (↑)

    /ty vjɛ̃s? (↑)/

    Are you coming?
  3. 3
    C'est fini. (↓)

    /k'ɛst fini. (↓)/

    It's finished.
  4. 4
    C'est fini? (↑)

    /k'ɛst fini? (↑)/

    Is it finished?
  5. 5
    Tu viens avec nous ↑ / au cinéma ce soir ↓?

    /ty vjɛ̃s avək nus ↑ / o sinema sə swaʀ ↓? /

    Are you coming with us to the cinema tonight?
  6. 6
    C'est fini ↑ / ou on doit continuer encore ↑ / le travail ↓?

    /k'ɛst fini ↑ / u ɔn dwat kɔ̃tinyʀ ɑ̃kɔʀɛ ↑ / lə tʀave ↓? /

    Is it finished or do we have to continue the work?

Four listening and articulation contrasts

Minimal pairs for a sharper self-check

Say the two forms slowly, alternate them, then place each one back into a short phrase. The spelling and IPA stay visible so you are not guessing from English spelling.

1

Oui. (Factuel) versus Oui? (Doute)

/wi. (faktyl)/ vs /wi? (dutə)/

2

Pardon. versus Pardon?

/paʀdɔn./ vs /paʀdɔn? /

3

C'est lui. versus C'est lui?

/k'ɛst lɥi./ vs /k'ɛst lɥi? /

4

D'accord. versus D'accord?

/d'akkɔʀd./ vs /d'akkɔʀd? /

A short repeat routine

Meaning first, then shape, then speed.

  1. Read the English meaning so the line has a clear intention.
  2. Use the IPA to locate the target sound or connection.
  3. Repeat slowly without adding an English-style extra vowel.
  4. Alternate the minimal pair and return to the complete phrase.
  5. Use the app when you want model audio, recording, and progress history.

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.

Continue this pronunciation lesson in Parle.

Use reviewed model audio, record the phrases, and keep the ordered A0-A2 path with you.

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