L - French Pronunciation of L

In French, the letter L is usually pronounced like the English L, except in French it's pronounced with the tongue against the upper teeth, rather than behind them, as in English: listen.

However, in most* letter combinations with a vowel preceding IL, L is pronounced like a Y:

   ail (e.g., bail)
   eil (soleil)
   euil (deuil)
   œil (œil)
   ouil (fenouil)
   ueil (accueil)

*The exception is uil (e.g., tuile)

LL may be pronounced L (mille) or Y (fille) - learn more.

French words with L

Click on the links below to hear the words pronounced in French:

   lampe   (lamp)

   lait   (milk)

   fleurs   (flowers)

   mille   (thousand)

   fille   (girl)


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