What are minimal pairs?

Two words that differ by a single sound, such as vu and vous, or dessus and dessous. Practising them trains your ear to notice the sounds that change meaning.

Which French sounds are hardest for English speakers?

Usually u versus ou, the nasal vowels (an, on, in) and the difference between é and è. This game covers those vowels, the nasals and the consonant pairs that are easy to confuse.

Does the pronunciation game need audio?

Yes, it uses your device’s French voice. Most phones and computers have one; if yours doesn’t, the game tells you so.

French pronunciation practice: hear the difference

L’oreille fine

Listen to a word, as often and as slowly as you like, then pick the one you heard from two or three that sound alike. Then hear them side by side, with a tip on how the sounds differ.

3 min a round
Free, no sign-up
Listening

Turn your sound on: this game speaks French.

How to play

1Listen to the word (replay it, or slow it down, as often as you like).
2Pick the one you heard from two or three words that sound alike.
3Then hear them side by side, with a tip on the difference.

What it trains

17 sound contrasts that change meaning in French, in 86 sets: vowels such as u/ou and é/è, the nasal vowels and pairs of consonants.

Why it matters for TCF and TEF Canada

In the listening section each recording plays only once. If dessus and dessous sound the same to you, a single vowel can cost you an answer. Hearing the contrasts also makes your own pronunciation clearer when you speak.

Practise listening in the real format: TCF Canada listening practice · TEF Canada listening practice

Learn while you play

Rules and tips to remember

u or ou
For u (vu, dessus), say “ee” with your lips rounded tight. Ou (vous, dessous) is the “oo” of “food”.
Nasal vowels have no n
In an, on and in, air goes out through the nose and the n isn’t pronounced: vent, vont, vin.
é or è
É is a tense, smiling “ay” with no glide; è is more open, like the e in “bed”.
Slow first, then normal speed
Hear the difference slowly, then check you still catch it at normal speed: the exam won’t slow down.

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