C'est beau versus C'est BEAU!
/sɛ bo/ vs /sɛ bo/
Keep the same sounds; change emphasis and delivery. Capitals mark emphasis, not extra consonants.
A2 · French pronunciation lesson
L'accent d'insistance (L'émotion): 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.
Utiliser l'accent affectif sur la première ou deuxième syllabe pour exprimer une émotion forte.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1C'est formidable!
/sɛ fɔʁmidabl/
That's great!Emphasis changes pitch, duration or prominence, not the spelling-to-sound correspondence. No extra final vowel is required.
- 2Quel délicieux gâteau!
/kɛl delisjø ɡato/
What a delicious cake! - 3C'est impossible!
/sɛt‿ɛ̃pɔsibl/
That's impossible! - 4Je suis très heureux.
/ʒə sɥi tʁɛz‿øʁø/
I am very happy. - 5C'est une magnifique journée / de printemps ↓.
/sɛt‿yn maɲifik ʒuʁne | də pʁɛ̃tɑ̃ ↓/
It's a magnificent spring day. - 6Je trouve ce film / absolument / fascinant ↓.
/ʒə tʁuv sə film | apsolymɑ̃ | fasinɑ̃ ↓/
I find this film absolutely fascinating.
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. OQLF: prosody. 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.
Incroyable versus INcroyable!
/ɛ̃kʁwajabl/ vs /ɛ̃kʁwajabl/
Keep the same sounds; change emphasis and delivery. Capitals mark emphasis, not extra consonants.
Détestable versus DÉtestable!
/detɛstabl/ vs /detɛstabl/
Keep the same sounds; change emphasis and delivery. Capitals mark emphasis, not extra consonants.
Parfait versus PARfait!
/paʁfɛ/ vs /paʁfɛ/
Keep the same sounds; change emphasis and delivery. Capitals mark emphasis, not extra consonants.
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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