le livre versus l'ami
/lə livʁ/ vs /lami/
Compare the full word before a consonant with its elided spelling before a vowel. Both examples are standard forms.
A2 · French pronunciation lesson
L'élision (l', d', j') (La contraction): 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.
Comprendre les élisions obligatoires en français et leur impact sur la prononciation.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1J'aime le sport.
/ʒɛm lə spɔʁ/
I like sports. - 2C'est l'idée.
/sɛ lide/
It's the idea. - 3Un peu d'eau.
/œ̃ pø do/
A little water. - 4Qu'est-ce que c'est?
/kɛs kə sɛ/
What is it? - 5J'aime l'idée de boire un peu d'eau fraîche.
/ʒɛm lide də bwaʁ œ̃ pø do fʁɛʃ/
I like the idea of drinking some fresh water. - 6L'étudiant cherche l'adresse de l'école ce matin.
/letydjɑ̃ ʃɛʁʃ ladʁɛs də lekɔl sə matɛ̃/
The student is looking for the school's address this morning.
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.
de Paris versus d'eau
/də paʁi/ vs /do/
Compare the full word before a consonant with its elided spelling before a vowel. Both examples are standard forms.
je parle versus j'habite
/ʒə paʁl/ vs /ʒabit/
Compare the full word before a consonant with its elided spelling before a vowel. Both examples are standard forms.
la maison versus l'école
/la mɛzɔ̃/ vs /lekɔl/
Compare the full word before a consonant with its elided spelling before a vowel. Both examples are standard forms.
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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