C et ç · les repères
1 · C + a, o, u → /k/
Use the /k/ of café. There is a brief closure and release at the back of the mouth.
| café /kafe/ | coffee |
| col /kɔl/ | collar |
| cube /kyb/ | cube |
Le café est chaud.The coffee is hot.
2 · C + e, i, y → /s/
Use the /s/ of ici. Ordinary c already supplies this sound, so these spellings use no cedilla.
| cerise /səʁiz/ | cherry |
| ici /isi/ | here |
| cycle /sikl/ | cycle |
Le cinéma est ici.The cinema is here.
3 · Ç + a, o, u → /s/
The mark changes the expected reading before these three vowels. Keep it when you write the word.
| ça /sa/ | that / it |
| garçon /ɡaʁsɔ̃/ | boy |
| reçu /ʁəsy/ | received |
Le garçon a reçu un cadeau.The boy received a present.
4 · The verb ending can trigger ç
The sound stays /s/ as commencer changes ending. Compare the letter that follows c.
Nous commençons à neuf heures.We start at nine o’clock.
Vous commencez à dix heures.You start at ten o’clock.