Minimal pair · French (France)
French /o/ vs /ɔ//o/ / /ɔ/
Learn to hear the difference between o and ɔ in French words.
Practice these sounds/o/
A close-mid, rounded vowel
A rounded vowel made toward the back of the mouth.
As inpaume
/ɔ/
An open-mid, rounded vowel
A more open back vowel than /o/. The guide below identifies the reference variety used here.
As inpomme
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Paume/pomme, côte/cote and saute/sotte contrast rounded vowels before a final consonant. The first category is close-mid /o/, the second open-mid /ɔ/.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
A common trap
Many southern varieties merge these word pairs, sometimes adding a final schwa. This lesson uses a northern reference distinction. Traditional descriptions also mark timing differences; vowel quality is not the only acoustic cue.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordpaume
/pom/palm of the handcôte
/kot/coast; ribsaute
/sot/a sudden changerose
/ʁoz/rose; flowersauce
/sos/saucepomme
/pɔm/applecote
/kɔt/rating; assessed valuesotte
/sɔt/foolish, femininegomme
/ɡɔm/eraser; gumcomme
/kɔm/like; asbol
/bɔl/bowlcor
/kɔʁ/horn; wind instrumentsort
/sɔʁ/fate; destiny13 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.