Language
French
Unit
Voyelles
IPA
/ɛ/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for voyelles orales - /ɛ/.

Quick tip

Oral vowels are produced with air flowing only through the mouth.

Letters and IPA

Letters

ɛ

/ɛ/

Practice words

  • mère

  • tête

  • fête

  • sel

  • père

Minimal pairs

  • mère / mer
  • tête / tait
  • fête / fait
  • père / pair
  • sel / sale

How to produce this sound

Open your mouth slightly more than for the English 'e' in 'bed'. The tongue is mid-low and the lips are relaxed.

Common mix-ups

  • mère / mer
  • tête / tait
  • fête / fait
  • sel / sale
  • père / pair

Closest comparison

bed, red, pen, men, set

Keep exploring

Previous Voyelles orales - /e/ Voyelles Next Voyelles orales - /a/ Voyelles