quai versus cas
/kɛ/ vs /ka/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
A2+ · French pronunciation lesson
Voyage en Train (Dialogue en gare): 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.
Intégrer toutes les compétences phonétiques dans un dialogue de voyage.
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1Un billet pour Lyon, s'il vous plaît.
/œ̃ bijɛ puʁ ljɔ̃ sil vu plɛ/
A ticket to Lyon, please. - 2Vous voulez partir à quelle heure?
/vu vule paʁtiʁ a kɛl œʁ/
What time do you want to leave? - 3Le prochain train, si c'est possible.
/lə pʁɔʃɛ̃ tʁɛ̃ si sɛ pɔsibl/
The next train, if possible. - 4Il y en‿a un dans dix minutes.
/il jɑ̃n‿a œ̃ dɑ̃ di minyt/
There is one in ten minutes.The en–a link uses n. Dix is /di/ before minutes.
- 5C'est parfait, quel est le quai?
/sɛ paʁfɛ kɛl ɛ lə kɛ/
That's perfect, which platform is it? - 6C'est le quai numéro huit, bon voyage!
/sɛ lə kɛ nymeʁo ɥit bɔ̃ vwajaʒ/
It's platform number eight, have a good trip!
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.
gare versus car
/ɡaʁ/ vs /kaʁ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
huit versus oui
/ɥit/ vs /wi/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
train versus traîne
/tʁɛ̃/ vs /tʁɛn/
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.
The app has 35 free sound references with recording and replay, plus a separate speaking course. Try its first 4 missions on greetings and introductions free; Premium opens all 120 missions.