Bon versus Bonne
/bɔ̃/ vs /bɔn/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
A1+ · French pronunciation lesson
Nasale vs Voyelle orale (Distinction auditive): 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.
Différencier les voyelles nasales des voyelles orales suivies d'une consonne nasale (n/m prononcés).
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Mon cousin arrive.
/mɔ̃ kuzɛ̃ aʁiv/
My cousin is arriving. - 2Ce bon vin est dans une bonne bouteille.
/sə bɔ̃ vɛ̃ ɛ dɑ̃z‿yn bɔn butɛj/
This good wine is in a good bottle.Bon and vin are nasal here; bonne and bouteille have oral vowels. Dans links to une with z.
- 3Il est fin et elle est fine.
/il ɛ fɛ̃ e ɛl ɛ fin/
He is thin and she is thin. - 4Ton ami est venu.
/tɔ̃n‿ami ɛ vəny/
Your friend came.Ton links to ami with n. The singular noun ami adds no liaison consonant before est.
- 5Mon cousin arrive avec sa cousine pour le dîner.
/mɔ̃ kuzɛ̃ aʁiv avɛk sa kuzin puʁ lə dine/
My cousin is arriving with his cousin for dinner. - 6Cette bonne nouvelle est un très bon signe pour ton projet.
/sɛt bɔn nuvɛl ɛt‿œ̃ tʁɛ bɔ̃ siɲ puʁ tɔ̃ pʁoʒɛ/
This good news is a very good sign for your project.
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.
Plein versus Pleine
/plɛ̃/ vs /plɛn/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Chien versus Chienne
/ʃjɛ̃/ vs /ʃjɛn/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Vain versus Veine
/vɛ̃/ vs /vɛn/
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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