French t and d: compare temps /tɑ̃/ and dent /dɑ̃/
Practise the French t/d contrast with temps and dent, tout and doux. Find the tongue position, use four picture cues and check the sounds in short phrases.
In short
French /t/ and /d/ use a brief tongue closure near the upper front teeth. /t/ is voiceless; /d/ is voiced. Compare temps /tɑ̃/ and dent /dɑ̃/: keep the same nasal vowel and change only the first consonant.
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Two pairs, two vowels
| With /t/ | With /d/ | Vowel that stays the same |
|---|---|---|
| temps /tɑ̃/ | dent /dɑ̃/ | /ɑ̃/ |
| tout /tu/ | doux /du/ | /u/ |
Le temps passe vite.
Time passes quickly.
Temps starts with /t/. The written p and s stay silent in this word.
Cette dent est sensible.
This tooth is sensitive.
Dent starts with /d/. Its final written t stays silent here.
Say the first pair slowly: temps — dent. Both words have one syllable. The vowel is nasal, with air flowing through the nose as well as the mouth; keep the tongue from adding a final /n/. Then try tout — doux with the rounded vowel /u/.
How do you pronounce t and d in French?
Try it with a relaxed tongue
- Place the tip or blade of the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth or just behind them.
- Close the airflow briefly, then release directly into the vowel. For /t/, use a clean release with less of the strong puff common in English “tea”.
- For /d/, add voicing: the vocal folds vibrate. Think of a voiced consonant rather than a louder /t/. Keep the tongue contact light.
Four words to start clearly
Find:
How is t pronounced in Québec French?
In much Québec French, /t/ and /d/ before /i/ and /y/ have an extra s-like or z-like release. Tu can sound close to [tsy], and du close to [dzy]. This regional pattern is called affrication. The /t/ and /d/ contrast remains; the spelling stays tu and du.
Return to temps — dent: those words have /ɑ̃/, so they give you a different vowel context. Keep the pairs together when comparing a speaker’s pronunciation. The pictures give you additional words to say; their whole pronunciations differ in more than the first consonant.