rue versus lue
/ʁy/ vs /ly/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A2- · French pronunciation lesson
Le R français (Le R grasseyé): 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 faire vibrer légèrement le fond de la gorge sans forcer (le son vient du voile du palais).
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Regarde Paris.
/ʁəɡaʁd paʁi/
Look at Paris. - 2C'est très rare.
/sɛ tʁɛ ʁaʁ/
It's very rare. - 3Il fait froid dehors.
/il fɛ fʁwa dəɔʁ/
It's cold outside. - 4Prends ton repas.
/pʁɑ̃ tɔ̃ ʁəpa/
Take your meal. - 5Regarde comme la ville de Paris est belle ce soir.
/ʁəɡaʁd kɔm la vil də paʁi ɛ bɛl sə swaʁ/
Look how beautiful the city of Paris is tonight. - 6Il fait très froid dehors pour se reposer dans la rue.
/il fɛ tʁɛ fʁwa dəɔʁ puʁ sə ʁəpoze dɑ̃ la ʁy/
It's very cold outside to rest in the street.
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.
riz versus lit
/ʁi/ vs /li/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
rouge versus bouge
/ʁuʒ/ vs /buʒ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
rare versus lard
/ʁaʁ/ vs /laʁ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
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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