Minimal pair · French (France)
French /ɔ/ vs /u//ɔ/ / /u/
Learn to hear the difference between ɔ and u in French words.
Practice these sounds/ɔ/
An open-mid, rounded vowel
A more open back vowel than /o/. The guide below identifies the reference variety used here.
As inbol
/u/
A back, rounded vowel
The tongue is high and farther back, with rounded lips.
As inboule
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Learn to hear the difference between ɔ and u in French words.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordbol
/bɔl/bowlcor
/kɔʁ/horn; wind instrumentsort
/sɔʁ/fate; destinypomme
/pɔm/applecote
/kɔt/rating; assessed valuesotte
/sɔt/foolish, femininegomme
/ɡɔm/eraser; gumcomme
/kɔm/like; asboule
/bul/ball; spherecour
/kuʁ/courtyardsourd
/suʁ/deaf; masculine singularpoule
/pul/henbouche
/buʃ/a mouthjoute
/ʒut/a contest or verbal sparring match14 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.