Language
French
Unit
Consonnes
IPA
/z/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

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

Quick tip

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

Letters and IPA

Letters

z

/z/

Practice words

  • zéro

  • zone

  • oiseau

  • riz

  • maison

Minimal pairs

  • zéro / séro
  • zone / sonne
  • rose / rosse
  • bise / bisse
  • riz / ri

How to produce this sound

Place your tongue close to the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth, and let your vocal cords vibrate as you push air out, like the 'z' in 'zero'.

Common mix-ups

  • zéro / séro
  • zone / sonne
  • riz / ri
  • rose / rosse
  • bise / bisse

Closest comparison

zebra, zero, zone, zip, lazy

Keep exploring

Previous Fricatives - /s/ Consonnes Next Fricatives - /ʃ/ Consonnes