Complete French Alphabet, All 26 Letters with Pronunciation
The French alphabet has the same 26 letters as English, but each letter has a distinct French name and pronunciation. When French speakers spell words aloud, they use these letter names. The table below shows each letter, its French name, and how to pronounce it.
Basic Letter Sounds
Starting with the first few letters helps you build pronunciation confidence. Letter A sounds like "ah" in "father." Letter B is "bay," and C is "say."
Mid-Alphabet Letters
Letters in the middle of the alphabet introduce some French-specific sounds. The letter G sounds like "zhay" (soft g sound). Letter H is always silent, pronounced "ahsh." Letter J is "zhee," similar to the s in "measure."
Advanced Sounds
Letter R is a guttural sound from the back of your throat. Letter U requires rounded lips while saying "ee." Letter U does not exist in English and requires practice to master.
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| A a | a | ah | Like 'a' in 'father' |
| B b | bé | bay | Like 'b' in 'bay' |
| C c | cé | say | Like 's' in 'say' |
| D d | dé | day | Like 'd' in 'day' |
| E e | e | uh | Like 'u' in 'uh' (schwa sound) |
| F f | effe | eff | Like 'eff' |
| G g | gé | zhay | Like 'zh' + 'ay', soft 'g' sound |
| H h | hache | ahsh | Always silent in French, 'ahsh' |
| I i | i | ee | Like 'ee' in 'see' |
| J j | ji | zhee | Like 'zh' in 'measure' + 'ee' |
| K k | ka | kah | Like 'k' + 'ah' |
| L l | elle | ell | Like 'ell' |
| M m | emme | em | Like 'em' |
| N n | enne | en | Like 'en' |
| O o | o | oh | Like 'o' in 'go', more rounded |
| P p | pé | pay | Like 'pay' |
| Q q | cu | kew | Like 'kew', always followed by 'u' |
| R r | erre | air | Guttural 'r' from back of throat |
| S s | esse | ess | Like 'ess' |
| T t | té | tay | Like 'tay' |
| U u | u | ew | Rounded 'ee', no English equivalent; purse lips and say 'ee' |
| V v | vé | vay | Like 'vay' |
| W w | double vé | doo-bluh-vay | Called 'double v' in French |
| X x | ixe | eeks | Like 'eeks' |
| Y y | i grec | ee-grek | Called 'Greek i' in French |
| Z z | zède | zed | Like 'zed' (not 'zee') |
French Accent Marks, The Five Diacritical Signs
French uses five accent marks (diacritiques) that modify pronunciation or meaning of letters. These are not optional. Omitting an accent changes the word or creates a spelling error. Learning to read and type these marks is essential for correct French.
The Acute Accent (Accent Aigu)
The accent aigu (é) appears only on the letter e. It creates a closed "ay" sound. Examples include "café," "école," and "été." This accent is the most common and affects pronunciation directly.
The Grave and Circumflex Accents
The accent grave (è) makes an open "eh" sound on e. The accent circonflexe (ê) can appear on any vowel and often indicates a dropped letter from Old French. The circumflex helps English speakers recognize words like "forêt" (forest) and "hôpital" (hospital).
The Tréma and Cédille
The tréma (ë) tells you to pronounce two vowels separately. In "Noël," the ë means you say "no-el," not "noel." The cédille (ç) appears only before a, o, or u to make c sound like "s" instead of "k."
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| é | Accent aigu (acute accent) | ay | Only on 'e', makes a closed 'ay' sound: café, école, été |
| è | Accent grave (grave accent) | eh | On 'e' makes open 'eh': mère, très. On 'a' and 'u' distinguishes homophones: à vs. a, où vs. ou |
| ê | Accent circonflexe (circumflex) | eh (open) | Can appear on any vowel: fête, hôtel, île. Often indicates a historical 's' that was dropped |
| ë | Tréma (diaeresis) | separate vowels | Indicates two vowels are pronounced separately: Noël (no-el), naïf (na-eef) |
| ç | Cédille (cedilla) | ss | Only on 'c' before a, o, u, makes 's' sound instead of 'k': français, garçon, reçu |
French Pronunciation Rules Every Beginner Must Know
French has several pronunciation patterns that differ sharply from English. Understanding these rules will help you read French text aloud with confidence. These patterns are consistent, so mastering them unlocks your ability to pronounce new words.
Silent Final Consonants
Most consonants at the end of a word are silent. The letters s, t, x, z, d, p, and g are typically not pronounced at the word's end. However, remember the word "CaReFuL" - the consonants c, r, f, and l are usually pronounced at word endings.
Liaison and Nasal Vowels
Liaison connects words together. When a word ending in a usually silent consonant meets a word starting with a vowel, you pronounce the consonant and link it to the next word. "Les amis" becomes "lay-zah-mee."
Nasal vowels occur when a vowel precedes n or m at the end of a syllable. The air passes through your nose. Examples include "an" (ɑ̃), "en" (ɑ̃), "in" (ɛ̃), "on" (ɔ̃), and "un" (œ̃).
The French R and U Sounds
The French R is a guttural sound made from the back of your throat, similar to gargling. It has no English equivalent and requires practice.
The French U is made by positioning your lips as if to say "oo" but instead saying "ee." This rounded front vowel does not exist in English.
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Silent final consonants: Most consonants at the end of a word are silent. The letters s, t, x, z, d, p, and g are typically not pronounced at the end of a word. The consonants c, r, f, and l are usually pronounced (remember the word 'CaReFuL').
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Liaison: When a word ending in a usually-silent consonant is followed by a word starting with a vowel, the consonant may be pronounced and linked to the next word. For example, 'les amis' is pronounced 'lay-zah-mee.'
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Nasal vowels: When a vowel is followed by 'n' or 'm' at the end of a syllable, it becomes nasal, the air passes through the nose. Examples: an/am (ɑ̃), en/em (ɑ̃), in/im (ɛ̃), on/om (ɔ̃), un/um (œ̃).
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The French R: Pronounced as a guttural sound from the back of the throat, similar to gargling. It has no English equivalent and takes practice.
- 5
The French U: Made by positioning your lips as if to say 'oo' but instead saying 'ee.' This rounded front vowel does not exist in English.
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make with French Letters
Being aware of these pitfalls will save you from developing bad pronunciation habits early in your French learning journey. English speakers bring habits that interfere with French sounds. Recognizing these differences helps you progress faster.
H and R Pronunciation Errors
The letter H is always silent in French. "Hotel" is pronounced "oh-tel," and "homme" is "om." There is no aspiration at all. Many English speakers add a breath sound that doesn't belong.
The French R is a guttural sound, not the English tongue-tip R. Practice the gargling sound until it becomes natural.
Ignoring Accents and Silent Letters
Accents are not decorative. They change pronunciation and meaning. "Ou" (or) and "où" (where) are different words. Always include accents in your writing and notice them when reading.
French has many silent letters, especially at word endings. "Beaucoup" is "boh-koo," not "bee-oh-koop." Pronouncing every letter creates a strong accent.
Confusing U and OU
French "u" (as in "tu") is a rounded front vowel, while "ou" (as in "tout") is like English "oo." Mixing them up changes words entirely and confuses native speakers.
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Pronouncing H: The letter H is always silent in French. 'Hotel' is pronounced 'oh-tel,' and 'homme' is 'om.' There is no aspiration at all.
- 2
Saying 'r' the English way: The French R is a guttural sound, not the English tongue-tip R. Practice the gargling sound until it becomes natural.
- 3
Ignoring accents: Accents are not decorative, they change pronunciation and meaning. 'Ou' (or) and 'où' (where) are different words. Always include accents.
- 4
Pronouncing every letter: French has many silent letters, especially at the end of words. 'Beaucoup' is 'boh-koo,' not 'bee-oh-koop.'
- 5
Confusing U and OU: French 'u' (as in 'tu') is a rounded front vowel, while 'ou' (as in 'tout') is like English 'oo.' Mixing them up changes words entirely.