Pronunciation
How to pronounce the famous “ R ” letter? Why French-speaking people write “ il y a ” but say “ y'a ” ? These aids provide you with examples to listen and tips to better understand French-speaking people and improve your pronunciation.
Pronunciation / How do I know where to place the accent in French?
A1 Breakthrough
A2 Waystage
B1 Threshold
B2 Vantage
Ordi, computer. What is the most important syllable in these words? In French, we talk about an accented syllable, but this has nothing to do with the accents written on vowels!
This is an automated translation and it may contain errors. If in doubt, consult the French content.
On which syllable should the accent be placed in French?
By discovering a simple rule: unlike many languages where the accent is placed on a specific syllable, in French it is placed on the last syllable pronounced in a word or group of words. This accent is not always easy to perceive because it manifests itself as a discreet lengthening of the syllable.
To understand this feature, follow the step-by-step advice in the video to practise placing the accent correctly.
Listen, repeat and improve your pronunciation using simple, concrete examples such as "info" and "information", "actu" and "actualité".