The Alphabet, Vowels & Consonants

Why the Alphabet Matters

French uses the same 26 letters as English, but many are pronounced differently, especially the vowels. Mastering the letter names is necessary for spelling aloud, such as providing an email address or clarifying a name. A fundamental phonetic principle is that final consonants are frequently silent – an essential rule for accurate pronunciation.

The French Alphabet

Vowels and Consonants

The vowels (les voyelles) are A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y. They form the nucleus of every syllable. The remaining letters are consonants (les consonnes). In French, many final consonants are not pronounced. For example, parler is pronounced parlé (the final ‑r is silent), and vous ends with a silent ‑s. A small set of consonants, including C, R, F, and L, are often pronounced at the end of short words (as in avec, chef, il).

Silent Final Consonants: A General Rule

Words ending in -t, -d, -s, -x, -z, -p, or -g (except in liaison contexts) typically drop the final consonant. A final silent ‑e also occurs and often lengthens the preceding vowel, as in parle. These patterns will be explored further in subsequent lessons.