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A1+ · French pronunciation lesson

Le son [ɥ] (lui, cuisine, nuit): phrase and IPA practice

Read six useful French phrases, check their IPA and English meaning, then compare four sound pairs.

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Teacher note

What to notice before you repeat.

Le défi majeur: former le son [y] (u) puis glisser instantanément vers [i].

Six lines from the current app lesson

French phrases with IPA and English meaning

  1. 1
    C'est pour lui.

    /k'ɛst puʀ lɥi./

    It's for him.
  2. 2
    Bonne nuit à tous.

    /bɔnə nɥit a tus./

    Good night everyone.
  3. 3
    Je suis en retard.

    /ʒə sɥis ɛn ʀətaʀd./

    I am late.
  4. 4
    J'aime la cuisine.

    /ʒ'ɛmə la kɥizinə./

    I like cooking.
  5. 5
    Je suis dans la cuisine pour préparer le dîner de ce soir.

    /ʒə sɥis dɑ̃s la kɥizinɛ puʀ pʀepaʀɛʀ lɛ dinɛʀ dɛ sə swaʀ./

    I am in the kitchen to prepare tonight's dinner.
  6. 6
    Après la pluie de l'après-midi, il fait très vite nuit.

    /il fɛt tut də sɥitɛ tʀɛs nɥitapʀɛs la plyjɛ dɛ l'apʀə̀s-midi./

    After the afternoon rain, it gets dark very quickly.

Four listening and articulation contrasts

Minimal pairs for a sharper self-check

Say the two forms slowly, alternate them, then place each one back into a short phrase. The spelling and IPA stay visible so you are not guessing from English spelling.

1

Louis [w] versus Lui[ɥ]

/lwis/ vs /lɥi/

2

Oui [w] versus Huit [ɥ]

/wi/ vs /ɥit/

3

Rouer versus Ruer

/ʀuʀ/ vs /ʀyʀ/

4

Bouée versus Buée

/bwe/ vs /bɥe/

A short repeat routine

Meaning first, then shape, then speed.

  1. Read the English meaning so the line has a clear intention.
  2. Use the IPA to locate the target sound or connection.
  3. Repeat slowly without adding an English-style extra vowel.
  4. Alternate the minimal pair and return to the complete phrase.
  5. Use the app when you want model audio, recording, and progress history.

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.

Continue this pronunciation lesson in Parle.

Use reviewed model audio, record the phrases, and keep the ordered A0-A2 path with you.

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