French for American Speakers
Your personalised pronunciation map based on the American English accent. 24% of coached French sounds transfer directly from your accent.
4
Direct Transfer
Sounds you already make
8
Small Adjustment
Close — needs a tweak
5
New Sounds
Focus practice here
Your accent gives you a 24% head start — 4 sounds you already make
Sounds That Transfer Directly (4)
You already make these French sounds in your American accent. Recognition, not learning.
French oi
You already make this sound. The French 'oi' is simply 'wa' — like the beginning of 'watch' or 'wasp'. Say 'mwa' and you...
French è (open e)
Direct transfer. The French 'è' in 'mère' is essentially your vowel in 'bed' or 'said'. Say 'bed' — that vowel quality i...
French j / ge (soft g)
You already have this sound. The 'zh' in 'pleasure', 'measure', and 'beige' is exactly the French 'j' sound. In fact, 'b...
French semi-vowel /j/ (yod)
You already have this sound — the 'y' at the start of 'yes' and 'you'. In French, it appears in different positions (oft...
Sounds That Need Adjustment (8)
Close to sounds in your accent — small modifications will get you there.
Nasal vowels (an/en, in, on)
Americans naturally nasalise vowels before 'n' and 'm' — say 'can't' slowly and notice how the vowel buzzes in your nose...
French gn
You already come close in words like 'onion' and 'canyon' — the 'ny' sound in the middle. French 'gn' is this same sound...
French é (closed e)
Your 'ay' in 'say' starts in the right place but glides upward — it's a diphthong (two sounds). French 'é' is just the F...
French schwa (e muet)
You already use a schwa in unstressed syllables — the 'a' in 'about' or 'the' before a consonant. The French schwa is si...
French open o vs closed o
You have both sounds in English but may not distinguish them cleanly. Open 'ɔ' is your 'bought' or 'caught' vowel — jaw ...
French dental l
English has two 'l' sounds: a 'light' one at the start of words (like 'light') and a 'dark' one at the end (like 'full',...
French a (front vs back)
Your 'cat' vowel is close to French front 'a' but slightly too raised and tense — relax your jaw and open wider. Your 'f...
French h (silent vs aspirated)
This is about UN-learning something. In French, 'h' is NEVER pronounced as a sound — there's no breath or friction. 'Hôt...
Genuinely New Sounds (5)
No equivalent in American English. These deserve your focused practice time.
French u
Start by saying 'ee' as in 'see'. Hold that tongue position. Now, without moving your tongue, round your lips tightly li...
French r
Forget everything about your English 'r'. The French 'r' is made in the back of your throat, not with your tongue tip. S...
French eu/oeu
The closest American sound is the vowel in 'bird' or 'her' — but with rounded lips. Say 'her' and notice your tongue pos...
French semi-vowel /ɥ/
This sound doesn't exist in English. It's essentially the French 'u' (/y/) produced as a rapid glide into the next vowel...
French nasal 'un' /œ̃/
This is the rarest French nasal vowel and many French speakers themselves merge it with the 'in' nasal /ɛ̃/. Start from ...
Your American Advantages
Clear consonant distinctions
Strong vowel nasalisation (bridge to nasal vowels)
Familiar with French loanwords
Good /ʒ/ from 'pleasure/measure'
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is French for American English speakers?▾
What French sounds do American speakers already make?▾
What are the hardest French sounds for American speakers?▾
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