A1 · Vowels
French nasal vowels
English nasals are consonants: the n in man. French nasals are vowels. The vowel itself goes through the nose. If you still pronounce a hard n at the end of bon or vin, you are speaking English with French spelling.
The air goes through the nose
Pinch your nose and say English “ah”. Then say it again with the nose open, still no n or m with the tongue. That is the idea: the tongue does not touch for an n. The velum drops. The vowel is nasal.
When a real n or m starts the next syllable (bonne, une), the consonant comes back and the vowel often denasalises. bon [nasal] vs bonne [not nasal]. One letter, two shapes.
Four nasals — three if you merge un with in
| Sound | Common spellings | Say |
|---|---|---|
| an / en | an, am, en, em | dans, enfant, temps, vent |
| in | in, im, ain, aim, ein | vin, pain, faim, plein |
| on | on, om | bon, nom, monde, sont |
| un | un, um | un, brun, parfum |
In much of France, un has merged with in. You will still see un written. Copy the people you listen to; both are understood.
Pairs that prove you are not adding an n
Nasal vowel vs vowel + n
bon / bonne
good (m) / good (f) — nasal vs “bonn” un / une
a (m) / a (f) — do not say “unn” for un vin / vine
wine — and if you add a hard n, it is no longer vin sans / ça
without / that — an vs a, not “sanz”
Nasal (no tongue n)
dans
in
pain
bread
monde
world
English trap
“danZ” / “dann”
adds a consonant that is not there
“pan” as in frying pan
wrong vowel, extra n
“mond” like English pond
too far back, too much d
Spelling that looks like a nasal but is not
If n or m is doubled, or followed by a vowel in the same word, you usually get a normal n/m: année, aimer, inutile. en as a prefix can go either way (ennui is nasal + n). Learn the frequent words; do not invent a rule for every prefix.
Try this out loud
No tongue n at the end. Hold the vowel.
Un bon vin blanc.
A good white wine.
Dans le monde.
In the world.
J’ai faim.
I’m hungry.
C’est un enfant.
It’s a child.
Questions this page usually raises
Keep going
Next pronunciation pages — same English, next sound.
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