French Pronunciation - IN/EN Sounds in French

Nov 28 / Ellie Louis

The "IN" sound in French

French phonetic symbol [ɛ̃]
Use the word "pain = bread" as your reference word.

All these letter combinations are pronounced the same way which is why they all come under the same phonetic symbol

  • IN - IM - Vin - Important
  • YN - YM -  Syndicat - Sympa
  • EIN - EIM - Plein - Reims
  • AIN - AIM - Pain - Faim
  • (I)EN - (Y)EN - (E)EN - Mien - Moyen - Européen

Mouth Position for French phonetic symbol [ɛ̃]

The lips are wide and the mouth is practically closed. The tongue is forward and the air passes through the mouth.

The "EN" sound in French

French phonetic symbol [ɑ̃]
Use the word "dans = in" as your reference word

All these letter combinations are pronounced the same way which is why they all come under the same phonetic symbol

  • EN - EM - Vent - Novembre
  • AN - AM - Dans - Ambulance
  • AEN - AON - Caen - Laon 

Mouth Position for French phonetic symbol [ɑ̃]

It is a nasal sound which you produce by sending air up your nose! Lips are gently rounded and the mouth is open.
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