Beau versus Bon
/bo/ vs /bɔ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A1 · French pronunciation lesson
Le son nasal [ɔ̃] (on, om): 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.
Focaliser l'air vers le nez tout en gardant les lèvres très arrondies pour le son [ɔ̃].
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1C'est bon.
/sɛ bɔ̃/
It's good. - 2Quel nom?
/kɛl nɔ̃/
What name? - 3On fait un pont.
/ɔ̃ fɛ œ̃ pɔ̃/
We are building a bridge. - 4Regarde le ballon.
/ʁəɡaʁd lə balɔ̃/
Look at the balloon. - 5Le garçon joue avec son ballon sur le pont.
/lə ɡaʁsɔ̃ ʒu avɛk sɔ̃ balɔ̃ syʁ lə pɔ̃/
The boy is playing with his balloon on the bridge. - 6Nous allons à la maison car la soupe est très bonne et chaude.
/nuz‿alɔ̃ a la mɛzɔ̃ kaʁ la sup ɛ tʁɛ bɔn e ʃod/
We are going home because the soup is very good and hot.
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.
Mot versus Mon
/mo/ vs /mɔ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Dos versus Don
/do/ vs /dɔ̃/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Pot versus Pont
/po/ vs /pɔ̃/
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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