Nasal Vowels
French nasal vowels are distinctive sounds where air flows both orally and through the nose, and they change meaning when swapped. This guide covers the four main nasal vowels with clear examples to help you hear and produce them consistently.
Nasal Vowel /ɑ̃/ (written â, an, am)
The nasal vowel /ɑ̃/ sounds like a broad "ah" nasalized and appears in words where "an" or "am" follows a consonant, or where "â" signals it. It contrasts with other nasal vowels that are sharper or more closed.
| French Word | English Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| banc | bench | camp | camp |
| pâte | dough / paste | chant | song / singing |
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Nasal Vowel /ɛ̃/ (written ein, ain, eim, im)
The nasal vowel /ɛ̃/ has a nasalized "eh" sound and is found in spellings like "ein," "ain," "eim," and "im." It often appears in words related to time, nature, or measurement, and differs from /ɑ̃/ by being slightly higher and more front.
| French Word | English Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| peint | painted | main | hand |
| reine | queen | chemin | path |
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Nasal Vowel /ɔ̃/ (written on, om)
The nasal vowel /ɔ̃/ sounds like a nasalized "o" as in "song" and is spelled "on" or "om." It appears in many common nouns and gives a round, deep nasal quality that contrasts with the lighter nasal vowels /ɛ̃/ and /ɑ̃/.
| French Word | English Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| pont | bridge | monde | world |
| nom | name | long | long |
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Nasal Vowel /œ̃/ (written un, um)
The nasal vowel /œ̃/ is a nasalized sound between "uh" and "eh," spelled "un" or "um." It is less common and appears in words often related to quantities or abstract concepts. It contrasts clearly with /ɔ̃/ and /ɛ̃/ in meaning.
| French Word | English Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| brun | brown | parfum | perfume |
| commun | common | lundi | Monday |
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Distinguishing Nasal Vowels
Nasal vowels change word meaning, so paying attention to small differences in tongue position and lip rounding is key. Practicing minimal pairs that swap nasal vowels helps train your ear and mouth to pick up and produce each sound accurately.
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Summary
French has four main nasal vowels—/ɑ̃/, /ɛ̃/, /ɔ̃/, and /œ̃/—each associated with specific spellings like â/an/amn, ain/ein/im, on/om, and un/um. These nasal sounds are essential for clear pronunciation and meaning, so practice with example words to internalize their distinct qualities.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025