French pronunciation: Voyelles nasales - /ɑ̃/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for voyelles nasales - /ɑ̃/.

Quick tip

Nasal vowels are pronounced with air flowing through both the mouth and the nose.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• sans

• enfant

• manger

• grand

• blanc

Minimal pairs

• sans / son
• grand / grain
• blanc / blé
• en / on
• manger / mangé

How to produce this sound

This is a nasal vowel, not found in English. To make it, open your mouth as if saying 'ah', but let air flow through your nose. Try to say 'ong' without the 'g' at the end.

Common mix-ups

• sans / son
• blanc / blé
• grand / grain
• en / on
• manger / mangé

Closest comparison

sans, enfant, manger, grand, blanc