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Nasal Sounds

French nasal sounds occur when a vowel is followed by a single n or m in the same syllable, as shown in Table 1 . You must use your nose (which should vibrate a bit) and your mouth to make these sounds.

TABLE 1 Nasal Sounds

Nasal

Sound

an, en (am, em)

like on with minor emphasis on n

in, ain (im, aim)

like an with minor emphasis on n

ien

like yan in yankee with minor emphasis on n

oin

like wa in wag

on (om)

like on in wr ong

un (um)

like un in uncle

Keep in mind that the following combinations do not require nasalized vowel sounds:

  • vowel + nn or mm: bonne (pronounced like bun in English)

  • vowel + n or vowel + m: mine (pronounced like mean in English)

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