Language/French/Grammar/The-French-Alphabet
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In this lesson, we will learn about the French alphabet and its pronunciation. French is written in the Latin script, like many other Western languages, but it has a few letters and sounds that are unique to the French language. Let's start with the basics: the French alphabet.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Nouns with irregular plurals & Use of y in constructions where à does not introduce an indirect object.
The French Alphabet[edit | edit source]
The French alphabet consists of 26 letters, just like the English alphabet. However, there are a few differences you should note:
- The letters "w" and "k" are not used in traditional French words, except for loanwords from other languages, like "week-end" or "karaté".
- The letters "q", "x", and "y" are less frequently used in French words, but they still have their own unique sounds.
Here is the French alphabet in order, with pronunciation notes:
French | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
A, a | /a/ | a |
B, b | /be/ | b |
C, c | /se/ | c |
D, d | /de/ | d |
E, e | /ə/ (in unstressed syllables), /ɛ/ (in stressed syllables) | e |
F, f | /ɛf/ | f |
G, g | /ʒe/ (before "i" or "e"), /ɡe/ (otherwise) | g |
H, h | /aʃ/ | h |
I, i | /i/ | i |
J, j | /ʒi/ | j |
K, k | /ka/ | k |
L, l | /ɛl/ | l |
M, m | /ɛm/ | m |
N, n | /ɛn/ | n |
O, o | /o/ | o |
P, p | /pe/ | p |
Q, q | /ky/ | q |
R, r | /ɛʁ/ (in Parisian French), /ʁ/ (in other French dialects) | r |
S, s | /ɛs/ | s |
T, t | /te/ | t |
U, u | /y/ | u |
V, v | /ve/ | v |
W, w | /dubləve/ | w |
X, x | /iks/ | x |
Y, y | /iɡrɛk/ (as a vowel), /i/ (as a consonant) | y |
Z, z | /zɛd/ | z |
Listen to this video[edit | edit source]
Practice your Pronunciation[edit | edit source]
Now that we have covered the French alphabet, it's time to test your pronunciation skills. Try to pronounce the following vowels and consonants:
- A: /a/
- E: /ɛ/
- I: /i/
- O: /o/
- U: /y/
- B: /be/
- D: /de/
- F: /ɛf/
- G: /ʒe/ (before "i" or "e"), /ɡe/ (otherwise)
- J: /ʒi/
- K: /ka/
- L: /ɛl/
- M: /ɛm/
- N: /ɛn/
- P: /pe/
- S: /ɛs/
- T: /te/
- Z: /zɛd/
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations, you have just learned about the French alphabet and its pronunciation. Keep practicing your pronunciation and don't forget to use the audio resources available online to perfect your accent. In the next lesson, we will study the French vowels and consonants in more detail.
Sources[edit | edit source]
Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Pronominal verbs and body parts & Nouns which change form when they refer to males or to females.
Videos[edit | edit source]
The French alphabet for beginners | Lesson 1/55 - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Differences in the use of numbers in French and English Addresses
- Adjectives preceded by de
- Plurals in cardinal numbers
- Intransitive constructions
- Active Voice and Passive Voice
- Conditional Mood and Future Tense
- Agreement with a preceding direct object in a relative clause when the participle is followed by an infinitive
- Omission of the article in compound nouns linked by à
- How to Use Be
- Stressed pronouns with ne — que and ni — ni — ne
Sources[edit | edit source]
- French Alphabet 101: Your Complete Guide | OptiLingo
- The French Alphabet
- Accents in the French Alphabet - IFALPES Annecy
Next Lesson — French Vowels and Consonants ▶️ |