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A1- · French pronunciation lesson

Voyelles arrondies (u [y] vs ou [u]): phrase and IPA practice

Read six useful French phrases, check their IPA and English meaning, then compare four sound pairs.

Practise this lesson in ParleStart with the phrases

Teacher note

What to notice before you repeat.

Maîtriser la position des lèvres "en avant" pour le son [y] par rapport au son [u].

Six lines from the current app lesson

French phrases with IPA and English meaning

  1. 1
    Tu es prêt?

    /ty əs pʀə̂t? /

    Are you ready?
  2. 2
    C'est tout bon.

    /k'ɛst tut bɔn./

    It's all good.
  3. 3
    J'ai vu un film.

    /ʒ'ai vy yn film./

    I saw a movie.
  4. 4
    Elle est sous la table.

    /ɛlə ɛst sus la tablə./

    She is under the table.
  5. 5
    Tu as vu mon nouveau sac à dos sur la chaise?

    /ty as vy mɔn nuvəo sak a dɔs syʀ la ʃɛzə? /

    Did you see my new backpack on the chair?
  6. 6
    Elle est tout à fait heureuse de partir en vacances.

    /ɛlə ɛst tut a fɛt œʀœzɛ dɛ paʀtiʀ ɛn vakɑ̃səs./

    She is quite happy to go on vacation.

Four listening and articulation contrasts

Minimal pairs for a sharper self-check

Say the two forms slowly, alternate them, then place each one back into a short phrase. The spelling and IPA stay visible so you are not guessing from English spelling.

1

Tu [y] versus Tout [u]

/ty/ vs /tut/

2

Bu versus Boue

/by/ vs /bu/

3

Su versus Sous

/sy/ vs /su/

4

Dessus versus Dessous

/dɛsy/ vs /dɛsu/

A short repeat routine

Meaning first, then shape, then speed.

  1. Read the English meaning so the line has a clear intention.
  2. Use the IPA to locate the target sound or connection.
  3. Repeat slowly without adding an English-style extra vowel.
  4. Alternate the minimal pair and return to the complete phrase.
  5. Use the app when you want model audio, recording, and progress history.

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.

Continue this pronunciation lesson in Parle.

Use reviewed model audio, record the phrases, and keep the ordered A0-A2 path with you.

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