Loi versus Roi
/lwa/ vs /ʁwa/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A2- · French pronunciation lesson
Le son [l] clair (La langue sur les dents): 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.
Placer la pointe de la langue contre les dents supérieures pour un [l] clair et net.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Elle est belle.
/ɛl ɛ bɛl/
She is beautiful. - 2Le lit est là.
/lə li ɛ la/
The bed is there. - 3Lis le livre.
/li lə livʁ/
Read the book. - 4Il parle lentement.
/il paʁl lɑ̃tmɑ̃/
He speaks slowly. - 5Elle est belle, la lune qui brille sur le lac.
/ɛl ɛ bɛl la lyn ki bʁij syʁ lə lak/
The moon shining on the lake is beautiful. - 6Il parle lentement pour bien lire le livre de leçon.
/il paʁl lɑ̃tmɑ̃ puʁ bjɛ̃ liʁ lə livʁ də ləsɔ̃/
He speaks slowly to read the lesson book well.
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.
Lac versus Bac
/lak/ vs /bak/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Aile versus Air
/ɛl/ vs /ɛʁ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Bal versus Bar
/bal/ vs /baʁ/
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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