S - French Pronunciation of S

By Laura K. Lawless

The letter S can be pronounced two different ways in French:

1. It's usually pronounced like the English S. It is pronounced this way
      - at the beginning of a word
      - at the end of a word or syllable
      - when there is a double S
      - when it is followed by a C*
      - in front of a consonant
    
2. The rest of the time, it is pronounced like a Z. It is pronounced this way
      - between two vowels
      - in a liaison (such as ils ont)

French words with S

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

   sucre   (sugar)

   fils   (son)

   poisson   (fish)

   scruter   (to scan)

   visage   (face)

   ils ont   (they have)


Letter combinations with S (click for detailed lessons)

• SC

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