French pronunciation: Semi-voyelles - /w/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for semi-voyelles - /w/.

Quick tip

Semivowels are produced like vowels but function as consonants.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• oui

• wagon

• week-end

• wifi

• western

Minimal pairs

• oui / hui
• wagon / vagon
• week-end / vic-end
• wifi / vifi
• western / vestern

How to produce this sound

Round your lips as if to say 'oo' in 'food', but start with your tongue high and towards the back of your mouth. Let the sound glide quickly into the next vowel.

Common mix-ups

• oui / hui
• wagon / vagon
• week-end / week-end
• wifi / vifi
• western / vestern

Closest comparison

water, window, wait, week, wonder