ils ont versus ils sont
/ilz‿ɔ̃/ vs /il sɔ̃/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
A2 · French pronunciation lesson
Pratique de la liaison (Synthèse et flux): 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.
Enchaîner les liaisons et élisions dans des phrases complexes pour une fluidité naturelle.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Ils‿ont encore faim.
/ilz‿ɔ̃ ɑ̃kɔʁ fɛ̃/
They are still hungry. - 2Deux‿heures exactement.
/døz‿œʁ ɛɡzaktəmɑ̃/
Two hours exactly. - 3Un grand‿homme arrive.
/œ̃ ɡʁɑ̃t‿ɔm aʁiv/
A tall man arrives.Grand–homme uses liaison t. Homme–arrive uses its already-pronounced m, without adding another consonant.
- 4Trois‿étoiles brillent.
/tʁwaz‿etwal bʁij/
Three stars shine. - 5Ils‿ont attendu pendant‿une heure au soleil.
/ilz‿ɔ̃ atɑ̃dy pɑ̃dɑ̃t‿yn œʁ o sɔlɛj/
They waited for an hour in the sun.The t in pendant–une is an optional liaison, shown here for the explicit link in the French exercise. It is often omitted in everyday speech.
- 6C'est‿un grand‿homme avec six‿enfants adorables.
/sɛt‿œ̃ ɡʁɑ̃t‿ɔm avɛk siz‿ɑ̃fɑ̃ adɔʁabl/
He is a tall man with six adorable children.Six is /siz/ before enfants. The optional liaison after enfants is omitted in this reading.
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.
deux heures versus douze heures
/døz‿œʁ/ vs /duz‿œʁ/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
grand homme versus grand mur
/ɡʁɑ̃t‿ɔm/ vs /ɡʁɑ̃ myʁ/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
plus encore versus plus tard
/plyz‿ɑ̃kɔʁ/ vs /ply taʁ/
Compare the complete phrases; more than one sound or word may change. ‿ marks a connection between words.
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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