French nasal vowel
The nasal A is represented by the IPA symbol [ɑ̃] and is pronounced [ah(n)]:
- [ah] = typical a sound
- (n) represents the nasal sound
[ɑ̃] may be spelled am, an, em, or en.
Em and en are usually pronounced [ɑ̃]. However, after é, i, and y, they are pronounced [ɛ̃].
Par exemple…
une banque | bank | |
un tampon | plug, rubber stamp | |
un embouteillage | traffic jam | |
un gendre | son-in-law | |
enchanté | delighted | |
un enfant | child |
Related lessons
- Letters: A | N
- Nasal vowels
- Introduction to vowels
- French alphabet
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