vite versus vide
/vit/ vs /vid/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A1 · French pronunciation lesson
La longueur des voyelles (Voyelles longues et brèves): 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.
Sensibiliser l'apprenant à l'allongement de certaines voyelles selon les consonnes qui suivent.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1C'est une fête.
/sɛt‿yn fɛt/
It's a party. - 2La rose est rouge.
/la ʁoz ɛ ʁuʒ/
The rose is red.Vowel duration can vary with the following consonant, accent and emphasis; this broad transcription does not measure length.
- 3Il y a de la neige.
/il ja də la nɛʒ/
There is snow. - 4Elle est calme.
/ɛl ɛ kalm/
She is calm. - 5La neige tombe doucement sur la petite maison.
/la nɛʒ tɔ̃b dusmɑ̃ syʁ la pətit mɛzɔ̃/
The snow falls gently on the little house. - 6C'est une grande fête pour célébrer la fin de l'année.
/sɛt‿yn ɡʁɑ̃d fɛt puʁ selebʁe la fɛ̃ də lane/
It's a big party to celebrate the end of the year.
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.
tache versus tasse
/taʃ/ vs /tas/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
sol versus saule
/sɔl/ vs /sol/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
belle versus bêle
/bɛl/ vs /bɛl/
These reference readings sound the same. Use spelling and sentence context to tell the forms apart.
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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