French Steps - Pronunciation - '-e', '-é' and '-è'

Pronouncing '-e', '-é' and '-è'

In French, the accents make a distinct difference to the way you pronounce '-e'.

e

e is usually a very 'slight' sound, like the vowel in the English word 'the' in 'the man':

le de ce

é

é is closest to the English vowel in 'day', but shortened slightly:

téléphoner épicerie thé

répéter numéro café

è

è on the other hand is more like the vowel in the English word 'bed':

crème problème près très