pré versus prêt
/pʁe/ vs /pʁɛ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
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 words, phrases, or spoken forms.
Teacher note
What to notice before you repeat.
Apprendre à maîtriser l'ouverture de la bouche pour distinguer les sons [e] et [ɛ].
Six phrases for this web practice
French phrases with IPA and English meaning
- 1C'est un été chaud.
/sɛt‿œ̃n‿ete ʃo/
It's a hot summer.The t of c’est links to un; un links to été with n. The final consonant of chaud is silent.
- 2Ma mère est là.
/ma mɛʁ ɛ la/
My mother is there. - 3J'ai acheté du lait.
/ʒe aʃəte dy lɛ/
I bought some milk. - 4La fête est terminée.
/la fɛt ɛ tɛʁmine/
The party is over. - 5J'ai acheté du lait frais pour le petit-déjeuner.
/ʒe aʃəte dy lɛ fʁɛ puʁ lə pəti deʒœne/
I bought fresh milk for breakfast. - 6Ma mère prépare une grande fête pour mon anniversaire.
/ma mɛʁ pʁepaʁ yn ɡʁɑ̃d fɛt puʁ mɔ̃n‿anivɛʁsɛʁ/
My mother is preparing a big party for my birthday.
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.
épée versus épais
/epe/ vs /epɛ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
dé versus dès
/de/ vs /dɛ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
fée versus fait
/fe/ vs /fɛ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
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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