MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · French (France)

French /l/ vs /ʁ//l/ / /ʁ/

Learn to hear the difference between l and ʁ in French words.

Practice these sounds
/l/

The l sound

Listen to the beginning of the word and compare it with the other consonant while the ending stays the same.

As inlit
/ʁ/

The French r category

The metropolitan French rhotic is written /ʁ/ here. Listen to the recorded word beginning.

As inriz

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Lit/riz, lait/raie and lame/rame compare initial /l/ with /ʁ/. Each reference pair preserves its vowel and any final consonant.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

A common trap

The French rhotic used here is not an instruction to pronounce an English r or a Spanish trill. Its exact realization varies among French speakers.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
lit
/li/bed
lait
/lɛ/milk
lame
/lam/blade
loup
/lu/wolf
lune
/lyn/moon
riz
/ʁi/rice
raie
/ʁɛ/stripe; ray fish
rame
/ʁam/oar
roue
/ʁu/wheel
rue
/ʁy/street
reine
/ʁɛn/queen
règne
/ʁɛɲ/reign
rat
/ʁa/rat

13 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

Not sure which sounds to practice? Take the free French listening diagnostic

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Match the opening category across the three vowel frames. Listen to reviewed voices from the declared metropolitan variety before drawing conclusions about your accuracy.

Explore all French contrasts
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