Consonnes pour les débutants
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More than half of French consonants are very similar to their English counterparts, while a few are completely different. Here’s a quick overview to help you get started learning French. Click any letter for detailed information and sound files.
Ten French consonants are pronounced more or less the same in French and English, so as a beginner you don’t need to worry too much about them:
B D F K L P V X Y Z
Two letters are pronounced as in English in some places (e.g., at the beginning of a word) but completely differently in others (such as at the end of a word):
M N
Four French consonants are pronounced differently depending on what letter follows them:
C G S T
One letter is always silent:
H
Finally, four consonants are completely different in French and English:
J Q R W
See the main consonant lesson for some general notes about French vs English consonants as well as more detailed information about French consonants in general.
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