Language/French/Grammar/The-French-Alphabet

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French Grammar → Alphabet and Pronunciation → The French Alphabet

In this lesson, we will learn about the French alphabet and its pronunciation. French is written in the Latin script, like many other Western languages, but it has a few letters and sounds that are unique to the French language. Let's start with the basics: the French alphabet.


After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Nouns with irregular plurals & Use of y in constructions where à does not introduce an indirect object.

The French Alphabet[edit | edit source]

The French alphabet consists of 26 letters, just like the English alphabet. However, there are a few differences you should note:

  • The letters "w" and "k" are not used in traditional French words, except for loanwords from other languages, like "week-end" or "karaté".
  • The letters "q", "x", and "y" are less frequently used in French words, but they still have their own unique sounds.

Here is the French alphabet in order, with pronunciation notes:

French Pronunciation English Translation
A, a /a/ a
B, b /be/ b
C, c /se/ c
D, d /de/ d
E, e /ə/ (in unstressed syllables), /ɛ/ (in stressed syllables) e
F, f /ɛf/ f
G, g /ʒe/ (before "i" or "e"), /ɡe/ (otherwise) g
H, h /aʃ/ h
I, i /i/ i
J, j /ʒi/ j
K, k /ka/ k
L, l /ɛl/ l
M, m /ɛm/ m
N, n /ɛn/ n
O, o /o/ o
P, p /pe/ p
Q, q /ky/ q
R, r /ɛʁ/ (in Parisian French), /ʁ/ (in other French dialects) r
S, s /ɛs/ s
T, t /te/ t
U, u /y/ u
V, v /ve/ v
W, w /dubləve/ w
X, x /iks/ x
Y, y /iɡrɛk/ (as a vowel), /i/ (as a consonant) y
Z, z /zɛd/ z

Listen to this video[edit | edit source]

Practice your Pronunciation[edit | edit source]

Now that we have covered the French alphabet, it's time to test your pronunciation skills. Try to pronounce the following vowels and consonants:

  • A: /a/
  • E: /ɛ/
  • I: /i/
  • O: /o/
  • U: /y/
  • B: /be/
  • D: /de/
  • F: /ɛf/
  • G: /ʒe/ (before "i" or "e"), /ɡe/ (otherwise)
  • J: /ʒi/
  • K: /ka/
  • L: /ɛl/
  • M: /ɛm/
  • N: /ɛn/
  • P: /pe/
  • S: /ɛs/
  • T: /te/
  • Z: /zɛd/

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations, you have just learned about the French alphabet and its pronunciation. Keep practicing your pronunciation and don't forget to use the audio resources available online to perfect your accent. In the next lesson, we will study the French vowels and consonants in more detail.

Sources[edit | edit source]


Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Pronominal verbs and body parts & Nouns which change form when they refer to males or to females.

Table of Contents - French Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Alphabet and Pronunciation


Nouns and Articles


Verbs and Tenses


Adjectives and Adverbs


Negation and Interrogation


Numbers and Time


Family and Relationships


Food and Drink


Hobbies and Interests


Geography and Travel


French Culture and Arts


French History and Society

Videos[edit | edit source]

The French alphabet for beginners | Lesson 1/55 - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]


Next Lesson — French Vowels and Consonants ▶️

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