Language
French
Unit
Consonnes
IPA
/s/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for fricatives - /s/.

Quick tip

Fricatives are made by forcing air through a narrow gap, creating friction.

Letters and IPA

Letters

s

/s/

Practice words

  • salut

  • si

  • soleil

  • sac

  • merci

Minimal pairs

  • sac / jac
  • sel / zel
  • sous / zoo
  • sable / table
  • sang / sans

How to produce this sound

Place the tip of your tongue close to the ridge behind your upper teeth, let air flow out without using your vocal cords. It's the same sound as the 's' in 'see'.

Common mix-ups

  • sac / chac
  • sous / zoo
  • sel / zel
  • sable / table
  • sang / sans

Closest comparison

see, sun, sand, so, bus

Keep exploring

Previous Fricatives - /v/ Consonnes Next Fricatives - /z/ Consonnes