MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · French (France)

French /e/ vs /ø//e/ / /ø/

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

Practice these sounds
/e/

A close-mid, unrounded vowel

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

As infée
/ø/

A close-mid, rounded vowel

A front vowel with rounded lips. This vowel is not schwa.

As infeu

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Fée/feu, dé/deux and pré/preux contrast two close-mid front vowels. The first is unrounded /e/ and the second rounded /ø/.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

A common trap

Preux is less frequent than the other words, but the exercise does not test vocabulary knowledge. Both categories are distinct from the open-mid vowels in père/peur.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
fée
/fe/fairy
dé
/de/a die; one of a pair of dice
pré
/pʁe/meadow
thé
/te/tea
nez
/ne/nose
ré
/ʁe/the musical note D
feu
/fø/fire
deux
/dø/two
jeu
/ʒø/game
creux
/kʁø/hollow
queue
/kø/tail; queue
nœud
/nø/knot

12 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.

Use the single-consonant beginnings before trying the pr cluster. Match X by its final vowel, with spelling hidden until you choose to reveal it.

Explore all French contrasts
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