Pois versus Pas
/pwa/ vs /pa/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
A1+ · French pronunciation lesson
Le son [w] (oui, moi, soir): 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.
Maîtriser l'arrondissement rapide des lèvres pour glisser vers la voyelle suivante.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Oui, c'est moi.
/wi sɛ mwa/
Yes, it's me. - 2Ce soir, on sort.
/sə swaʁ ɔ̃ sɔʁ/
Tonight, we go out. - 3Il fait froid dehors.
/il fɛ fʁwa dəɔʁ/
It's cold outside. - 4C'est une belle loi.
/sɛt‿yn bɛl lwa/
It's a beautiful law. - 5Oui, ce soir, nous allons manger au restaurant.
/wi sə swaʁ nuz‿alɔ̃ mɑ̃ʒe o ʁɛstoʁɑ̃/
Yes, tonight we are going to eat at the restaurant.Nous links to allons with z. The wording is edited here to avoid the contradictory “nous … avec moi”.
- 6Il fait très froid ce soir pour se promener sur le trottoir.
/il fɛ tʁɛ fʁwa sə swaʁ puʁ sə pʁɔmne syʁ lə tʁɔtwaʁ/
It's very cold tonight to walk on the sidewalk.
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 Là
/lwa/ vs /la/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Moi versus Ma
/mwa/ vs /ma/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Coin versus Canne
/kwɛ̃/ vs /kan/
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.
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