je suis versus j'suis
/ʒə sɥi/ vs /ʃɥi/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
A2 · French pronunciation lesson
La chute du E muet (Le "E" qui disparaît): 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.
Apprendre à supprimer le son [ə] à l'intérieur ou entre les mots pour gagner en naturel.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Je suis là.
/ʒə sɥi la/
I am here.The full reading is shown. In fast informal speech, je suis can reduce to /ʃɥi/.
- 2Samedi soir.
/samdi swaʁ/
Saturday evening.The schwa of samedi is omitted here: /samdi/. /samədi/ is also a valid slower reading.
- 3Petit déjeuner.
/pti deʒœne/
Breakfast.Petit is reduced to /pti/ here; /pəti/ is also possible. The final t is silent before déjeuner.
- 4Je te vois.
/ʒə tə vwa/
I see you.The full reading is shown; je te can reduce, for example to /ʃtə/, depending on pace and speaker.
- 5Je suis avec toi ce samedi soir.
/ʒə sɥi avɛk twa sə samdi swaʁ/
I am with you this Saturday evening. - 6On prend un petit déjeuner pendant la pause?
/ɔ̃ pʁɑ̃ œ̃ pti deʒœne pɑ̃dɑ̃ la poz/
Shall we have breakfast during the break?
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.
petit versus p'tit
/pəti/ vs /pti/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
fenêtre versus f'nêtre
/fənɛtʁ/ vs /fnɛtʁ/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
regarde versus r'garde
/ʁəɡaʁd/ vs /ʁɡaʁd/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
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.
The app has 35 free sound references with recording and replay, plus a separate speaking course. Try its first 4 missions on greetings and introductions free; Premium opens all 120 missions.