U - French Pronunciation of U

The French letter U is one of the two most difficult sounds in French for most people. (R is the other one.)

The unaccented U and the U with an accent circonflexe Û or tréma Ü are all pronounced the same way: with the lips tightly pursed: listen.

There is no equivalent sound in English, so for this letter more than any other is is essential to get help from a native French speaker. In the meantime, take a look at step-by-step instructions on how to pronounce the French U.


French words with U

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

   lecture   (reading)

   autobus   (bus)

   chuchoter   (to whisper)

   musique   (music)

   sucre   (sugar)

   résumer   (to summarize)

   jupe   (skirt)

   tu   (you)


Letter combinations with U (click for detailed lessons)
   AU  |  EAU  |  EU  |  EUIL  |  OU  |  OUIL  |  UE  |  UEIL  |  UI  |  UIL  |  UN


Also see OU vs U


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