Déterminant + nom · les liaisons
1 · Les, des, mes, tes, ses → /z/
Before a vowel, the final written s gives /z/. Before a consonant, keep it silent: compare les amis with les livres.
| les amis /lezami/ | the friends |
| des oranges /dezɔʁɑ̃ʒ/ | some oranges |
Les amis arrivent.The friends are arriving.
Mes enfants sont ici.My children are here.
2 · Un, mon, ton, son → /n/
Add the linking /n/ before the noun’s vowel. In mon oncle, the vowel in mon stays nasal as /n/ connects to oncle.
| un ami /œ̃nami/ | a friend |
| mon oncle /mɔ̃nɔ̃kl/ | my uncle |
Un ami attend dehors.A friend is waiting outside.
Mon oncle habite à Lyon.My uncle lives in Lyon.
3 · Deux and trois → /z/
The x of deux and the s of trois supply the same linking consonant in these phrases.
Deux amis viennent dîner.Two friends are coming for dinner.
Trois enfants jouent.Three children are playing.
4 · H muet allows it; h aspiré blocks it
Both kinds of h are silent. Learn the noun with its article: les hommes links, les haricots does not. A dictionary marks h aspiré.
Les hommes attendent.The men are waiting.
Les haricots sont prêts.The beans are ready.