Les sons de liaison · fiche
1 · s, x and z can give /z/
In these linked phrases, use the buzzing /z/, as in English “zoo”. Keep each pair together.
| les amis [le.za.mi] | the friends |
| deux amis [dø.za.mi] | two friends |
| chez elle [ʃe.zɛl] | at her home |
Je déjeune chez elle.I’m having lunch at her place.
2 · t and d can give /t/
The final d of grand supplies /t/ in grand arbre. The same linking sound appears after petit in petit enfant.
| grand arbre [ɡʁɑ̃.taʁbʁ] | large tree |
| petit enfant [pə.ti.tɑ̃.fɑ̃] | small child |
Ce petit enfant parle déjà très bien.This small child already speaks very well.
3 · n can give /n/
In mon oncle, keep the nasal vowel [ɔ̃] and add /n/. A linking /n/ can sit beside a nasal vowel.
| mon oncle [mɔ̃.nɔ̃kl] | my uncle |
| mon ami [mɔ̃.na.mi] | my friend |
Mon oncle habite ici.My uncle lives here.
4 · Neuf has a special /v/ in two common phrases
Learn the age and time expressions together. Neuf alone ends /f/, so these phrases involve a change from an existing /f/ to /v/.
| neuf ans [nœ.vɑ̃] | nine years old / nine years |
| neuf heures [nœ.vœʁ] | nine o’clock |
Ma nièce a neuf ans.My niece is nine years old.
La réunion commence à neuf heures.The meeting starts at nine.