French nasal vowel
The nasal I is represented by the IPA symbol [ɛ̃] and is pronounced [eh(n)]:
- [eh] = closed e sound
- (n) represents the nasal sound
[ɛ̃] has many possible spellings:
- im
- in
- aim
- ain
- eim
- ein
- em
- en
- um*
- un*
- ym
- yn
Em and en are only pronounced [ɛ̃] after é, i, and y. Otherwise, they are pronounced [ɑ̃].
*See [œ̃] lesson
Par exemple…
| cinq | five | |
| le pain | bread | |
| impuissant | powerless | |
| le parrain | godfather | |
| européen | European | |
| végétarien | vegetarian |
Related lessons
- Letters: I | N
- Nasal vowels
- Introduction to vowels
- French alphabet
- In– Prefix
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