The sounds ou, u and o
• The letter u is pronounced
(phonetically, it is written [y]). Listen to the following terms and if you feel like it have a go repeating them.
Tu you
Des lunettes glasses
Salut hi
Des lunettes glasses
Salut hi
Note: The past participle of the verb avoir, eu, is pronounced like the letter u.
J'ai eu I've had
• The letters ou are pronounced
. It is represented by the IPA pronunciation symbol [ u ] and can be written ou, où, oû, aoû, oux, oug, oue, etc.
Ouvrir la bouche to open the mouth
Doux kind, gentle, soft
Coûter to cost
Doux kind, gentle, soft
Coûter to cost
• The [o] sound is pronounced
. It can be written as o, ot, eau, au, and aux.
De l'eau some water
Allô ? hello?
Au boulot ! (let's get) to work!
Allô ? hello?
Au boulot ! (let's get) to work!
Note: There is also an open 'o' sound [ɔ]. Example: le sport
or formidable
.
• Listen carefully to the difference between the following three sounds:
Vu seen
Vous you
Vos you
Vous you
Vos you
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