All the basics
How French sounds, read 3 of 15, 2 min
Nasal vowels
Les voyelles nasales
The most French-sounding part of French. When a vowel is followed by n or m in the same syllable, air goes through your nose and the n or m itself isn't pronounced.
Three sounds to separate
The English guides below are rough, so trust the audio. Don't finish the word with an n: stop before your tongue touches the roof of your mouth.
- ventan, en = an open "ah" through the nosewind
- enfantboth an and en make the same soundchild
- vinin, ain, ein = a flat "a" as in "bank", through the nosewine
- painain, the same soundbread
- vonton = a round "oh" through the nosethey go
- bonjouron, the same soundhello
When it isn't nasal
If the n or m is followed by a vowel, or doubled, the vowel stays clear and you hear a real n. This is often the only difference between masculine and feminine.
- bonnasal, no ngood (masculine)
- bonneclear o, real ngood (feminine)
- américainnasal, no nAmerican (masculine)
- américaineclear vowel, real nAmerican (feminine)
The English sound guides are only rough. When they disagree with the voice, go with the voice.