French pronunciation can initially feel intimidating, especially if you’ve just started. All those silent letters, nasal sounds, and that famously tricky R? It’s enough to make any beginner hesitate before saying a single word out loud.

However, clear pronunciation is the key to transforming textbook knowledge into real conversation. It helps you feel confident when speaking, be understood by native speakers, and actually enjoy using the language in real life.

Getting pronunciation right early on makes everything easier. 

The good news? You don’t have to tackle it all at once. In this post, we’ll walk you through a simple, step-by-step, 4-week guide to French pronunciation to help you build a strong foundation. You’ll learn how to master the alphabet and vowels and tackle the French R.

Week 1: Introduction to French Pronunciation Basics

When you’re just starting out with French, it’s tempting to jump straight into words and phrases. But pronunciation is where it all begins.

If you build a solid foundation now, you’ll avoid forming habits that are hard to fix later.

In Week 1, we’ll start with the essentials of the new language: the alphabet, vowels, and consonants. Think of this as pronunciation boot camp!

Pronouncing the French alphabet

Many letters in the French alphabet are pronounced very differently from English, although both languages have the same 26 letters. It’s essential to get used to these variations as it will help you spell words out loud, understand native speakers, and read more confidently.

• A (ah)

avion-(plane)

• B (bay)

banane-(banana)

• C (say)

citron-(lemon) 

• D (day)

danse-(dance)

• E (uh) (like duh)

école-(school) 

• F (eff)

femme-(woman)

• G (zhay)

gâteau-(cake)

• H (ash)

hiver-(winter)

• I (ee)

idée-(idea)

• J (zhee)

jardin-(garden) 

• K (kah)

kiwi-(kiwi)

• L (ell)

livre-(book)

• M (em)

maison-(house)

• N (en)

nez-(nose)

• O (oh)

orange-(orange)

• P (pay)

pain-(bread)

• Q (kew)

quoi-(what)

• R (air, gargled in the throat)

rue-(street)

• S (ess)

soleil-(sun)

• T (tay)

table-(table)

• U (ew, pursed lips, not like “you”)

université-(university)

• V (vay)

voiture-(car)

• W (doo-bluh-vay) 

wagon-(wagon)

• X (eeks)

taxi-(taxi)

• Y (ee-grek)

yoga-(yoga)

• Z (zed)

zéro-(zero)

How to pronounce French vowels

The six French vowel sounds are pure and distinct. There’s no gliding like we often do in English. For example, the letter a in chat (cat) is a clear “ah” sound, not “ay” or “uh.”

• A – pronounced ah as in “father”
• E – often uh or silent depending on position
• I – pronounced ee as in “machine”
• O – pronounced oh
• U – pronounced with rounded lips, not found in English (practice saying ee while rounding your lips)
• Y – usually pronounced like I (ee), especially in words borrowed from Greek or English origin

Spend time repeating vowel sounds in isolation. These are the building blocks of every French word.

How to pronounce French consonants

French consonants are mostly similar to English, but a few stand out:

• R – pronounced in the back of the throat (you’ll dive into this in Week 3)
• C/G – soft or hard depending on the following vowel (e.g., gâteau vs. girafe)
• H – usually silent!
• Final consonants – often not pronounced (e.g., petit, grand), but there are exceptions.

Tip: Try reading children’s books aloud. They often use simple, clear vocabulary that’s perfect for practicing consonants and vowels.

That’s it for Week 1! Get comfortable with these basics, and you’ll be amazed how quickly your pronunciation starts to click.

Week 2: Advanced consonant and vowel sounds

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to tackle some of the more specific sounds in French, especially those that don’t exist in English.

One of the most unique and challenging features of French pronunciation is the nasal sounds.

How to pronounce nasal sounds in French

Nasal sounds are a big deal in the French language. They give it that unmistakable “French” quality. These sounds are called nasal because the air flows through your nose while you pronounce them.

Unlike in English, where the “n” is usually pronounced, in French it often blends with the vowel before it to create one sound.

There are four main nasal vowel sounds in French:

• an / en            

ah(n) (like “song” but more nasal)    

enfant  (child)

• on                   

oh(n)                                                 

bonjour (hello)

• in / ain            

eh(n) (like “bank” with nasal tone)   

pain (bread)

• un                   

uh(n) (no exact English equivalent) 

Lundi (Monday)

Tip: Try saying the vowel while humming slightly through your nose. Doing this helps you get the nasal effect. Don’t pronounce the final “n” or “m” unless a following word starts with a vowel (that’s when a liaison comes in, more on that in Week 3).

Why nasal vowels matter

Nasal vowels can feel strange at first for English speakers. But native French speakers rely on them to tell words apart. For example, beau (beautiful) and bon (good) are two different words, but if you pronounce them with the same sound, it could confuse your listener.

Here are some French pronunciation tips that will help you improve:

• Practice listening: Train your ear with podcasts or native French videos.
• Repeat out loud: Use French-speaking practice apps or shadow a French teacher.
• Record yourself: Compare your pronunciation practice with that of a native speaker.

Nasal vowels are one of the more complex sounds for learners, but mastering them dramatically improves pronunciation and helps you speak the language more naturally.

Want to see how easy it is to learn French sounds with Clémence? Take a FREE sample lesson and start training your ear like a native!

Week 3: Mastering the most challenging aspects of French pronunciation

You’ve covered the basics, tackled the vowels, and dipped your toes into nasal sounds. Now, let’s take on the trickiest parts of French pronunciation that even seasoned learners struggle with.

These sounds are challenging but essential for anyone serious about sounding like a native speaker.

The French "R"

Arguably, the hardest sound for English speakers, the French “R” doesn’t exist in the English language. Instead of using your tongue like in English, the French “R” is pronounced in the back of the throat, similar to a light gargling sound.

• R                           

Guttural sound, throat-based              

rouge (red)

• R                            

(not rolled like in Spanish or Scottish)        

Paris (Paris)

Tip: Pretend you’re clearing your throat very softly. It may sound silly at first, but with consistent pronunciation practice, it will start to feel natural.

Liaisons in French

Liaisons are a classic French pronunciation rule that links two words together when the first word ends in a usually silent consonant and the second word begins with a vowel sound.

• Les enfants 

Lay-zahn-fahn (the children)

• Vous avez 

Voo-zah-vay (you have)

Tip: Depending on the phrase, liaison is mandatory, optional, or forbidden. But don’t worry! Start by learning the most common ones, and your ear will begin to pick them up with time as you learn how to pronounce words.

The French "U" and "Ou"

Many learners confuse these French vowel sounds because they look similar but are pronounced very differently. 

• U          

Say “ee” while rounding lips           

Une (one)

• Ou        

Like “oo” in “food”                           

Vous (you)

Tip: Train your ear to hear the difference and practice with minimal pairs (une vs. ou, tu vs. tout).

Stress and intonation

Unlike English, French word stress is very regular. It almost always falls on the last syllable of a word or phrase. This gives the French language its rhythmic, flowing sound.

Understanding these elements will take your skills from beginner to intermediate. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to repeat one word or phrase many times. That’s how native speakers learn, too.

Week 4: Additional pronunciation rules and techniques

By now, you’ve mastered the alphabet, tackled tricky vowel sounds, and even braved the French “R”.

In this final week, we’ll uncover the lesser-known (but super important) pronunciation rules that can make a big difference in how native speakers understand you.

These finishing touches help you pronounce French words correctly and sound more natural when you speak French.

Silent letters in French

One of the most common French pronunciation rules is that many final letters in a word are not pronounced. This is especially true for consonants like s, t, d, x, p, and g.

• petit                   

Puh-tee (small)

• trop                    

Troh (too much)

• grand                 

Grahn (big/tall)

Tip: Unless there’s a liaison or specific exception, don’t pronounce the last consonant sound of most French words.

Non-silent letters at the end of words

While many final letters are silent, some are NOT, and mispronouncing them is a common mistake among beginners.

• C  (At the end of words)                

Avec (with)

• R (Often pronounced)

 Bonjour (hello)

• F (Usually pronounced)                

Neuf (nine)

The silent and aspirated "H"

The French H is never pronounced like the English h in “hat,” but it can be silent or aspirated. The difference? A silent h allows for liaisons, while an aspirated h blocks them.

• Homme (Silent)         

Liaison is allowed                      

Ex: les hommes → lay-zohm

• Héros (Aspirated)  

Liaison is not allowed                              

Ex: les héros → lay ay-ro

Tip: Train your ear by listening for liaisons in authentic audio. They’re often your best clue!

The double "L"

In most cases, the double “L” is pronounced like a Y sound, especially after I.

• Fille (fee-yuh)                  

(girl)

• Travail (tra-vah-y)               

(work)

Tip: Beware of this rule as it is not universal. For instance, words like ville (city) keep the L sound.

Word stress in French

Unlike English word stress, which can fall on different syllables, French word stress is regular and predictable. It typically falls on the final syllable of a word or phrase.

This makes French sound more even and musical. Try shadowing a native speaker to mimic the rhythm.

Schwa (The mysterious “E” sound)

You’ll often hear a soft, ghost-like “uh” sound in French. It’s called the schwa (written as e), and it’s sometimes dropped altogether.

• Semaine (suh-men)

Dropped in speech: smen

• je parle (zhuh parl)          

Dropped in speech: j’ parl

Tip: Learning when to drop or keep the schwa takes time, but it’s a great way to improve listening skills and sound more natural.

The French love to contract and connect words, especially in casual speech. Je aime becomes j’aime; si il becomes s’il.

These elisions and contractions are essential in fast-paced conversations. 

How to improve French pronunciation for beginners?

Improving your pronunciation doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, even if you’re just starting out. You can train your ear, mouth, and confidence with the right strategies and tools.

Here’s a French pronunciation guide to get you started:

Listen like it’s your job

Before you speak well, you have to hear well. Surround yourself with French sounds daily. Think of it as pronunciation immersion. Here are some actionable steps you can take to implement this:

• Watch French movies or YouTube videos with subtitles
• Listen to French podcasts while walking or commuting
• Play French songs and try to mimic the lyrics

This exercise will help your brain recognize familiar consonant sounds, combinations, and the natural rhythm of French.

Speak out loud

Don’t wait for a conversation partner. Speaking to yourself (yes, really!) helps with mouth muscle memory and vowel pronunciation.

Here are some pointers to get you started:

• Read a short French text out loud daily
• Record yourself and compare it to native speakers
• Repeat difficult sounds like the French “R” or nasal vowels

Practice with a native or a teacher

A good French teacher or language partner can correct pronunciation mistakes and teach you techniques only native speakers know.

• Book short sessions to focus on pronunciation practice
• Ask for feedback on specific sounds you’re struggling with

Use pronunciation tools

Try apps or websites that break down French sounds, especially for English speakers.

• Look for tools with phonetic spelling, slow playback, and native audio
• Use minimal pairs (like ou vs u) to master difficult differences

Tip: Try saying one word multiple times, slowly, then faster. This helps bridge slow learning with real-life speech.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even dedicated learners sometimes fall into the same pronunciation traps. Knowing what to look out for can make a big difference in how fast you improve and how confidently you speak.

Here are the most common French pronunciation mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them:

• Pronouncing French letters like in English: Many beginners assume the alphabet in French works the same as the English alphabet. But sounds differ, even when letters look familiar. Always learn the French pronunciation of each letter.
• Ignoring nasal sounds: French words like “pain” (bread) or “non” (no) use nasal vowels. Air flows through your nose, not your mouth. Skipping this can change the meaning entirely.
• Over-pronouncing silent letters: Many French words have silent letters, especially at the end. Saying these out loud can make your speech sound unnatural. For example, don’t pronounce the “t” in chat (cat).
• Confusing “U” and “Ou”: These two sounds don’t exist in the same way in English. Tu and tout may look similar, but they sound very different, and so do their meanings.
• Forgetting about liaisons: Liaisons link two words when the first ends in a consonant and the next starts with a vowel. Ignoring them can break the flow and rhythm of spoken French.

Takeaway: Speak French with confidence, one sound at a time!

Learning French pronunciation as a beginner doesn’t have to feel intimidating. With the right plan and a little patience, you can master even the most difficult sounds.  The key is consistency: listen often, speak daily, and avoid making mistakes.

This 4-week guide to French pronunciation gives you the building blocks to get there. 

And remember, you don’t have to do it alone!

Want to see how easy it is to learn how to pronounce French words with Clémence?

Take a FREE sample lesson today and start speaking like a native!