Baie versus Bille
/bɛ/ vs /bij/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
A1+ · French pronunciation lesson
Le son [j] (hier, bien, travail): 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 prononcer le son [j] de manière brève et fluide comme dans "yeux".
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1C'est bien.
/sɛ bjɛ̃/
It's good. - 2Il y a du soleil.
/il ja dy sɔlɛj/
There is sunshine. - 3Hier soir, j'ai lu.
/jɛʁ swaʁ ʒe ly/
Last night, I read. - 4Quel beau travail!
/kɛl bo tʁavaj/
What a beautiful work! - 5Hier soir, j'ai fait un très bon travail de piano.
/jɛʁ swaʁ ʒe fɛ œ̃ tʁɛ bɔ̃ tʁavaj də pjano/
Last night, I did a very good piano work. - 6Le soleil brille bien sur les feuilles de l'arbre.
/lə sɔlɛj bʁij bjɛ̃ syʁ le fœj də laʁbʁ/
The sun shines well on the leaves of the tree.
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.
Loi versus Loyer
/lwa/ vs /lwaje/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Paille versus Pas
/paj/ vs /pa/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Miel versus Mêle
/mjɛl/ vs /mɛl/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
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.