French é (closed e)

/e/

Accent-Specific Coaching

For American Speakers

Your 'ay' in 'say' starts in the right place but glides upward — it's a diphthong (two sounds). French 'é' is just the FIRST part of your 'ay', frozen in place. Say 'say' but cut it short before your jaw moves up. That clipped, pure first half is the French 'é'.

For British Speakers

Your RP 'ay' in 'say' starts very close to the French 'é'. Just clip the diphthong — say the first half of 'say' and stop. No upward glide. RP speakers typically find this one of the easiest French sounds.

For Australian / NZ Speakers

Australian 'ay' in 'say' starts from a more open position than American 'ay' and has a wider diphthong. You need to aim higher and clip the glide. Think of a slightly more clipped version of your 'ay' — freeze just the beginning, raise it slightly, and hold it pure.

For Irish Speakers

Many Irish English accents have a monophthong (single sound) 'e' in words like 'say' rather than the diphthong 'ay' used in other accents. If that's you, congratulations — you may already be producing something very close to French 'é' naturally.

For Scottish Speakers

Scottish English often uses a pure monophthong /e/ in words like 'face' and 'say' — exactly the French 'é'. This is a direct transfer. Your natural pronunciation of 'say' is likely already the French sound. Just use it.

For Indian Speakers

Indian English varies — some speakers use a pure monophthong in say and name (close to French é), while others diphthongize. If you use a pure e without upward glide, you are already making the French sound.