French Alphabet


The French Alphabet is a variant of the Latin alphabet used by the French language. While it shares many similarities with English, there are also distinct differences that make it unique.The French alphabet contains 26 letters, with 6 vowels and 20 consonants. The letters in French are as follows:

Letter (Uppercase) Letter (Lowercase) Phonic (Pronunciation) Name of the letter NATO phonetic alphabet Letter Morse Code
A a /a/ ah Alfa .-
B b /be/ beh Bravo -...
C c /se/ seh Charlie -.-.
D d /de/ deh Delta -..
E e /ə/ uh Echo .
F f /ɛf/ ef Foxtrot ..-.
G g /ʒe/ zheh Golf --.
H h /aʃ/ ash Hotel ....
I i /i/ ee India ..
J j /ʒi/ zhee Juliet .---
K k /ka/ kah Kilo -.-
L l /ɛl/ el Lima .-..
M m /ɛm/ em Mike --
N n /ɛn/ en November -.
O o /o/ oh Oscar ---
P p /pe/ peh Papa .--.
Q q /ky/ koo Quebec --.-
R r /ɛʁ/ err Romeo .-.
S s /ɛs/ ess Sierra ...
T t /te/ teh Tango -
U u /y/ oo Uniform ..-
V v /ve/ veh Victor ...-
W w /dubləve/ doo-bluh-veh Whiskey .--
X x /iks/ eeks X-ray -..-
Y y /iɡrɛk/ ee-grek Yankee -.--
Z z /zɛd/ zed Zulu --..

How many letters in French?

In the French alphabet, there are 26 letters, just like in the English alphabet. The French alphabet consists of the same letters as English:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.

French Vowels Letters

In the French language, there are five main vowel letters: A, E, I, O, and U. These letters represent both vowel sounds and can combine with accents or other letters to create different sounds and variations in pronunciation. Additionally, the letter Y is sometimes considered a vowel in certain contexts or when it's part of a vowel sound in a word.

French Consonants Letters

In the French language, the consonant letters are the same as in the English alphabet, with a few differences in pronunciation:
B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z are the consonant letters in French.

However, it's important to note that the pronunciation of some French consonants may differ from their English counterparts, and certain combinations of letters might produce unique sounds in French. Additionally, the use of accents and diacritical marks can modify the pronunciation of certain consonants in French.

French Alphabet Pronunciation Guide

The Letter "C" in French

Before "A," "O," and "U" (and sometimes before consonants): The letter "C" is typically pronounced as a hard "k" sound, similar to the English "k." For instance:
"Chat" (cat) is pronounced as "sha."
"Cœur" (heart) is pronounced as "kur."
"Cuisine" (kitchen) is pronounced as "kwee-zeen."

Before "E," "I," or "Y":In this case, "C" is usually pronounced as an "s" sound, similar to the English "s." For example:
"Cercle" (circle) is pronounced as "ser-kluh."
"Cité" (city) is pronounced as "see-tay."
"Cycle" (cycle) is pronounced as "seekl."

There are some exceptions and variations in pronunciation depending on regional accents or specific words, but this general rule guides the pronunciation of the letter "C" in French.

The Letter "G" in French

Before "A," "O," and "U": When "G" is followed by the vowels "A," "O," or "U," or sometimes before consonants, it is pronounced as a hard sound, similar to the English "g" in "go":
"Gare" (station) is pronounced as "gar."
"Gros" (big) is pronounced as "gro."
"Guerre" (war) is pronounced as "gair."

Before "E," "I," or "Y": When "G" is followed by the vowels "E," "I," or "Y," it often has a soft pronunciation, similar to the "s" sound in "measure" or a soft "zh" sound:
"Génial" (great) is pronounced as "zhay-nee-al."
"Girafe" (giraffe) is pronounced as "zhee-raf."
"Gingembre" (ginger) is pronounced as "zhawn-zhuhmbr."

Just like with the letter "C," there are exceptions and variations in pronunciation based on specific words and regional accents. However, this general rule outlines the common pronunciation patterns of the letter "G" in French.

The Letter "R" in French

Guttural "R": In standard French pronunciation, the most common "R" sound is a guttural or uvular sound produced at the back of the throat. It's a raspy sound formed by vibrating the back of the tongue against the back of the mouth.
Example: "Rouge" (red) is pronounced as "roozh."

"R" at the Beginning of Words or Syllables: The French "R" is more pronounced or rolled when it appears at the beginning of a word or syllable.
Example: "Rue" (street) is pronounced as "roo."

"R" at the End of Words or Syllables: The "R" sound at the end of words or syllables in French is often not pronounced, especially in certain regions or in informal speech.
Example: "Manger" (to eat) is pronounced as "mahn-zhay."

Flapped or Tap "R": In some regions or accents, the "R" might be pronounced more like a flap or tap against the roof of the mouth.
Example: "Paris" is pronounced as "pah-ree."

Pronunciation of the French "R" can be challenging for non-native speakers, and its pronunciation varies widely across different French-speaking regions. Listening to native speakers and practicing the correct pronunciation can help in mastering the various nuances of the French "R."

The Letter "S" in French

Pronounced as "S": When "S" appears at the beginning of a word or before a consonant, it is typically pronounced as an "S" sound, similar to English.
Example: "Souris" (mouse) is pronounced as "soo-ree."

Pronounced as "Z":In some cases, especially between vowels or when it's between a vowel and a voiced consonant, the letter "S" can be pronounced as a soft "Z" sound, similar to the English "Z" in "zoo."
Example: "Rose" (rose) is pronounced as "rohz."

Silent "S": In certain contexts, especially at the end of words or before a consonant, the "S" can be silent and not pronounced.
Example: "Paris" is pronounced as "pah-ree."

Pronounced as "SS" or "S" before "C" or "T": In some words, when "S" is followed by "C" or "T," it is pronounced as "SS."
Example: "Sceptique" (sceptical) is pronounced as "ssep-teek."

The pronunciation of the letter "S" in French can vary based on its neighboring letters and the specific word. Understanding these different pronunciation patterns helps in correctly pronouncing words in French. Practice and exposure to spoken French are beneficial for mastering the various nuances of "S" pronunciation.

The Letter "U" in French

Close to "oo" Sound: In many instances, the pronunciation of "U" in French is similar to the "oo" sound in English words like "food" or "moon."
Example: "Lune" (moon) is pronounced as "loon."

"U" with "G" and "Q": When the letter "U" is followed by "G" or "Q," it forms a unique sound where the "U" is pronounced as a close "ee" sound, while the "G" or "Q" add a "g" or "k" sound respectively.
Example: "Guerre" (war) is pronounced as "gair."

"U" with Accents (Ü): In certain cases, "U" can have an accent, such as "Ü," which alters its pronunciation. However, accents on "U" are rare in standard French spelling.

Silent "U": In some words, especially at the ends of syllables or words, the letter "U" might be silent, influencing the pronunciation of the preceding vowel.
Example: "Fruit" (fruit) is pronounced as "fwee."

The pronunciation of "U" in French can vary in different contexts and with different combinations of letters. Practicing pronunciation and exposure to spoken French can help in mastering the correct pronunciation of "U" in various words.

The Letter "Y" in French

As a Vowel: When "Y" functions as a vowel, it often takes on the sound of "ee" or "ih" in English.
Example: "Sympa" (nice) is pronounced as "sam-pa."

As a Consonant:In many cases, "Y" functions as a consonant in French, usually representing a "y" sound, similar to its pronunciation in English words like "yes."
Example: "Yaourt" (yogurt) is pronounced as "ya-oort."

Combination with Other Vowels:"Y" can also combine with other vowels like "A," "E," or "O" to form specific sounds or diphthongs.
Example: "oyez" (hear, imperative form) is pronounced as "wa-yay."

At the End of Words:Sometimes, "Y" appears at the end of words, where it typically acts as a vowel and contributes to the word's pronunciation.
Example: "Essuyer" (to wipe) is pronounced as "es-wee-yay."

The role of "Y" as both a vowel and a consonant in French can influence its pronunciation in various words. Understanding its context within words and how it interacts with other letters aids in correctly pronouncing French words that contain the letter "Y."