Pronunciation

How to pronounce the famous letter "R" in French? Why do French speakers write "il y a" but say "y'a"? These tips give you examples to listen to and advice to help you understand French speakers better and improve your pronunciation.

Pronunciation/ The "p," "v" and "b" sounds

A1 Breakthrough

What do you think of French consonants? Awful, normal, rather / really beautiful? You don't know?

Is the difference between

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beauté and

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voter impossible, difficult, easy to hear?

Is the difference between

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beau and

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peau or

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veau impossible, difficult, easy to pronounce?

In your opinion, which is the most beautiful consonant?

In your opinion, which is the most awful consonant?

Have you ever observed a French-speaker's lips as they speak? The [b] is a deep, lax consonant that is pronounced with the lips, as if you were about give a child a kiss on the cheek. The mouth is closed, the lips are rounded and slightly pushed forward.

The sound	Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version. [b] is written: b
The sound	Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version. [v] is written: v
The sound	Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version. [p] is written: generally, p, less often pp (grippe).

Start practising!

You can imitate the examples:
- when repeating the example, try saying it fast and slow, yelling and whispering it;
- try repeating in time with the example, as precisely as possible.

Exercices de mise en pratique

Pronunciation: the "p," v," and "b" sounds

A1

6 exercises

Watch • Listen • Pronunciation (Sons / Consonnes - r, p, b...)