le ami versus l'ami
/lə ami/ vs /l'ami/
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 sound pairs.
Teacher note
What to notice before you repeat.
Comprendre les élisions obligatoires en français et leur impact sur la prononciation.
Six lines from the current app lesson
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1J'aime le sport.
/ʒ'ɛmə lə spɔʀt./
I like sports. - 2C'est l'idée.
/k'ɛst l'ide./
It's the idea. - 3Un peu d'eau.
/yn pəy d'əo./
A little water. - 4Qu'est-ce que c'est?
/k'ɛst-sə kə k'ɛst? /
What is it? - 5J'aime l'idée de boire un peu d'eau fraîche.
/ʒ'ɛmə l'ide dɛ bwaʀɛ yn pɛy d'o fʀaiʃə./
I like the idea of drinking some fresh water. - 6L'étudiant cherche l'adresse de l'école ce matin.
/l'etydjɑ̃t ʃɛʀʃə l'adʀɛsɛ dɛ l'ekɔlɛ sə matin./
The student is looking for the school's address this morning.
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.
de eau versus d'eau
/də o/ vs /d'o/
je habite versus j'habite
/ʒə abit/ vs /ʒ'abit/
la école versus l'école
/la ekɔl/ vs /l'ekɔl/
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.
- Alternate the minimal pair and return to the complete phrase.
- 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.