Je ne sais pas versus J'sais pas
/ʒə nə sɛ pa/ vs /ʃɛ pa/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
A2 · French pronunciation lesson
La suppression du "ne" (La négation moderne): 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.
S'habituer à l'omission quasi systématique du "ne" dans le registre familier et courant.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Je ne sais pas.
/ʒə nə sɛ pa/
I don't know. - 2Je sais pas.
/ʒə sɛ pa/
I don't know.Omitting ne is common in conversation; retain it for formal writing.
- 3Ce n'est pas vrai.
/sə nɛ pa vʁɛ/
That's not true. - 4C'est pas vrai.
/sɛ pa vʁɛ/
That's not true. - 5Je ne sais pas si c'est une bonne idée.
/ʒə nə sɛ pa si sɛt‿yn bɔn ide/
I don't know if it's a good idea. - 6Je sais pas si c'est une bonne idée, mais on y va.
/ʒə sɛ pa si sɛt‿yn bɔn ide mɛ ɔ̃n‿i va/
I don't know if it's a good idea, but let's go.
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.
Il n'est pas là versus Il est pas là
/il nɛ pa la/ vs /il ɛ pa la/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
Ce n'est rien versus C'est rien
/sə nɛ ʁjɛ̃/ vs /sɛ ʁjɛ̃/
The second form is one possible informal spoken reading. Reductions vary with speaker and context.
On n'y va pas versus On y va pas
/ɔ̃ ni va pa/ vs /ɔ̃ ni va pa/
Dropping ne is not audible in this example: liaison supplies the same /n/ in on y. Sentence context carries the negative meaning.
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.
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