Bas versus Banc
/bas/ vs /bɑ̃k/
A1 · French pronunciation lesson
Le son nasal [ɑ̃] (an, en, am, em): phrase and IPA practice
Read six useful French phrases, check their IPA and English meaning, then compare four sound pairs.
Teacher note
What to notice before you repeat.
Apprendre à abaisser le voile du palais pour créer la résonance du son [ɑ̃] (bouche ouverte).
Six lines from the current app lesson
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Mange un peu.
/mɑ̃ʒə yn pəy./
Eat a little. - 2C'est l'enfant.
/k'ɛst l'ɑ̃fɑ̃t./
It's the child. - 3Il y a du vent.
/il i a dy vɑ̃t./
There is wind. - 4Attends maman.
/atɑ̃ds maman./
Wait, mom. - 5L'enfant danse joyeusement dans la chambre.
/l'ɑ̃fɑ̃t dɑ̃sə ʒwajœzɛmɑ̃t dɑ̃s la ʃɑ̃bʀə./
The child dances joyfully in the room. - 6Maman attend le bus depuis trente minutes sous le vent.
/maman atɑ̃d lə bys dɛpɥis tʀɑ̃tɛ minytɛs sus lə vɑ̃t./
Mom has been waiting for the bus for thirty minutes in the wind.
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.
Pas versus Paon
/pas/ vs /paɔ̃/
Ma versus Mens
/ma/ vs /mɑ̃s/
Tas versus Temps
/tas/ vs /tɑ̃ps/
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.
- Alternate the minimal pair and return to the complete phrase.
- 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.