Fille versus Fuyez
/fij/ vs /fɥije/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
A2- · French pronunciation lesson
Transitions rapides (Vitesse et précision): 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.
Maintenir la distinction nette entre les sons [j], [w] et [ɥ] dans un débit naturel.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Il voit bien.
/il vwa bjɛ̃/
He sees well. - 2Huit oiseaux chantent.
/ɥit‿wazo ʃɑ̃t/
Eight birds are singing. - 3Lui aussi travaille.
/lɥi osi tʁavaj/
He also works. - 4Je suis voyageur.
/ʒə sɥi vwajaʒœʁ/
I am a traveler. - 5Lui aussi travaille dans ce grand immeuble depuis hier.
/lɥi osi tʁavaj dɑ̃ sə ɡʁɑ̃t‿imœbl dəpɥi jɛʁ/
He has also been working in this big building since yesterday.Grand links to immeuble with t, not d.
- 6Huit oiseaux se posent sur le toit de la maison de campagne.
/ɥit‿wazo sə poz syʁ lə twa də la mɛzɔ̃ də kɑ̃paɲ/
Eight birds land on the roof of the country house.
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. OQLF: huit. 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.
Roi versus Ruée
/ʁwa/ vs /ʁɥe/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Voyage versus Virage
/vwajaʒ/ vs /viʁaʒ/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
Payer versus Puer
/peje/ vs /pɥe/
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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