AtelierLe journal · French, understood
English

Language

The course

Updated

Cheat sheet

French plural-noun liaison: which links are optional?

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Compare the expected z in des amis with the optional link in amis anglais. A compact guide to noun boundaries, careful speech and three practice questions.

In short

In des amis anglais, the /z/ from des into amis is expected. A second /z/, from amis into anglais, is optional and more associated with careful speech. Check each word boundary separately.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Three adult friends arrive together at the open door of a French apartment, greeted warmly by their host in gentle evening light.
The host welcomes des amis anglais. Illustration: Atelier

Two boundaries, two decisions

1 · Determiner → noun: keep the familiar link

In des amis, les enfants and mes amis, the determiner links into the vowel at the start of its noun.

des‿amis/de.z‿a.mi/: the /z/ comes from the determiner

Des amis viennent ce soir.Some friends are coming this evening.

Les enfants jouent ensemble.The children are playing together.

2 · Plural noun → adjective: a style choice

A linking /z/ can follow a plural noun before a vowel-initial adjective. Both readings below keep the same words and meaning.

amis anglais/a.mi ɑ̃.ɡlɛ/: no noun liaison
amis‿anglais/a.mi.z‿ɑ̃.ɡlɛ/: noun liaison

J’invite des amis anglais.I’m inviting some English friends.

3 · Plural noun subject → verb: a more formal link

In mes amis arrivent, /z/ after amis belongs to formal delivery. In everyday conversation, leave that noun boundary unlinked and keep the expected /z/ in mes amis.

Mes amis arrivent demain.My friends are arriving tomorrow.

4 · Singular noun: keep its own pattern

The plural option gives you no extra consonant in the corresponding singular noun phrase.

Un enfant adorable.An adorable child.

Des enfants adorables.Some adorable children.

Which liaisons are optional in French?

The spelling tells you where to look
PhraseBoundary to inspectDecision
des amis anglaisdes → amisExpected /z/
des amis anglaisamis → anglaisOptional /z/
mes amis arriventamis → arriventFormal optional /z/
un enfant adorableenfant → adorableNo noun liaison /t/

Read the whole phrase before choosing a link. A smooth transition can also contain a consonant that is already pronounced: the /ʁ/ in une histoire amusante is present in histoire itself. That is enchaînement. A liaison adds a consonant normally absent from the word on its own.

Question 1No account needed
Which link is optional in des amis anglais?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

amis → anglais. The plural noun–adjective boundary has a different status from the determiner–noun boundary.

Question 2No account needed
Which ordinary reading suits a chat about mes amis arrivent demain?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Keep the determiner link; leave the noun–verb boundary unlinked.. The determiner link stays; the noun–verb liaison belongs to a more formal style.

Question 3No account needed
In un enfant adorable, should the noun gain a linking /t/?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

No; this singular noun boundary stays unlinked.. The optional plural pattern does not transfer to the singular noun before its adjective.

Sources and further reading

Keep going