MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · French (France)

French /a/ vs /e//a/ / /e/

Learn to hear the difference between a and e in French words.

Practice these sounds
/a/

The a category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As inrat
/e/

A close-mid, unrounded vowel

A front vowel without rounded lips. Compare it with the other complete vowel.

As inré

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Learn to hear the difference between a and e in French words.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
rat
/ʁa/rat
ça
/sa/that; informal demonstrative pronoun
la
/la/the musical note A
choix
/ʃwa/choice
soie
/swa/silk
chat
/ʃa/cat; masculine form
plat
/pla/flat; masculine singular
ré
/ʁe/the musical note D
ces
/se/these or those; plural determiner
pré
/pʁe/meadow
thé
/te/tea
dé
/de/a die; one of a pair of dice
fée
/fe/fairy
nez
/ne/nose

14 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.

Now, let your ears decide.

Can you hear the difference? Listen to two examples, then decide which sound you hear in a new word. Get feedback after every answer.

Practice these sounds

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Learn to hear the difference between a and e in French words.

Explore all French contrasts
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