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A1- · French pronunciation lesson

Voyelles fermées et ouvertes (é [e] vs è/ê [ɛ]): 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.

Apprendre à maîtriser l'ouverture de la bouche pour distinguer les sons [e] et [ɛ].

Six lines from the current app lesson

French phrases with IPA and English meaning

  1. 1
    C'est un été chaud.

    /k'ɛst yn ete ʃod./

    It's a hot summer.
  2. 2
    Ma mère est là.

    /ma mə̀ʀə ɛst la./

    My mother is there.
  3. 3
    J'ai acheté du lait.

    /ʒ'ai aʃəte dy lɛt./

    I bought some milk.
  4. 4
    La fête est terminée.

    /la fə̂tɛ ɛst tɛʀmine./

    The party is over.
  5. 5
    J'ai acheté du lait frais pour le petit-déjeuner.

    /ʒ'ai aʃəte dy lɛt fʀɛs puʀ lɛ pɛtit-deʒœnəʀ./

    I bought fresh milk for breakfast.
  6. 6
    Ma mère prépare une grande fête pour mon anniversaire.

    /ma mə̀ʀɛ pʀepaʀɛ ynɛ ɡʀɑ̃dɛ fɛtɛ puʀ mɔn ɑnivɛʀsɛʀə./

    My mother is preparing a big party for my birthday.

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

pré versus prêt

/pʀe/ vs /pʀɛ/

2

épée versus épais

/epe/ vs /epɛ/

3

dé versus dès

/de/ vs /dɛ/

4

fée versus fait

/fe/ vs /fɛ/

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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