Do you hear « extra » sounds when French people speak quickly? Most of the time, those are liaisons. Placed well, they make you sound natural; placed wrong, they give away a beginner’s accent. Good news: liaisons follow clear rules. Here are the essentials, simple examples and an audio exercise to practise.
The essentials at a glance
- A liaison means pronouncing the final consonant of a word together with the vowel that begins the next word (les‿amis → « lay-z-ami »).
- There are three cases: compulsory, forbidden and optional liaisons.
- The consonant often changes sound: s and x are pronounced [z], d becomes [t], f becomes [v].
- You never link before an aspirated h (les / héros), nor between a subject and its verb.
What is a liaison in French?
A liaison is the pronunciation of the final consonant (normally silent) of a word together with the initial vowel of the next word. The « s » in les is not pronounced in les livres, but it is pronounced [z] in les‿amis.
Mastering liaisons does two things: it helps you speak more naturally and understand spoken French better. There are many rules, so there’s no need to memorise them all at once. Practising with a native French teacher is the fastest way to train your ear.
How is the liaison consonant pronounced?
When you make a liaison, the final consonant often changes sound. Here are the most common cases:
| Written letter | Sound | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| s, x, z | [z] | les‿amis, deux‿enfants, chez‿eux |
| d | [t] | un grand‿homme, quand‿il arrive |
| t | [t] | un petit‿enfant, tout‿à coup |
| n | [n] (nasal) | un‿ami, mon‿enfant, on‿a |
| f | [v] | neuf‿ans, neuf‿heures |
| p | [p] | trop‿aimable, beaucoup‿appris |
| r | [r] | le premier‿étage, un léger‿avantage |
Compulsory liaisons
These liaisons must always be pronounced.
After a determiner (un, des, les, ces, mon, ton, son, mes, tes, ses, nos, vos, leurs, aux, aucun, tout, quels, quelles, quelques) and after all numbers:
- Je parle à un‿élève.
- Tes‿études sont difficiles.
- Tu as deux‿amis à Paris.
Between an adjective and the noun that follows:
- Elle défend de grandes‿idées.
- Quels‿idiots !
After the pronouns on, nous, vous and after dans, chez, sans, en:
- Nous‿avons / Vous‿êtes / On‿arrive.
- Il joue dans‿un beau film.
- Nous arrivons chez‿eux en retard.
- C’est sans‿espoir !
In set expressions: avant-hier, c’est-à-dire, de temps‿en temps, plus‿ou moins, un sous-entendu, tout‿à coup, tout‿à l’heure.
Forbidden liaisons
These liaisons are never made. (The / sign marks where you must not link.)
Before an aspirated h:
- Ce sont des / héros !
- Il habite en / haut de la rue.
Between a singular noun and the adjective that follows it:
- C’est un étudiant / intelligent.
- C’est du courrier / urgent.
Between the subject and the verb:
- Le train / arrive demain.
- Les étudiants / arrivent à huit heures.
After a lexical verb, before its complement:
- Elle écrit / une lettre.
- Il part / avec sa copine.
Before huit and onze, and after quand, comment, combien (except in inversion):
- Ils ont / onze ans.
- Comment / il est venu ? (but: Comment‿est-il venu ? with inversion)
Optional liaisons
These liaisons are possible but not compulsory: they are mainly made in careful speech or when reading aloud.
- After an adverb (often ending in ‑ment) before the adjective: particulièrement‿intéressant.
- After trop, très, bien before the adjective: c’est trop‿important.
- After avoir: après avoir‿attendu.
Tip: Mark the liaisons in pencil in your texts (a small « ‿ » between the words) and read aloud. Within a few weeks, your ear will anticipate them on its own.
Exercise: read this text aloud
Spot the compulsory, forbidden and optional liaisons, then read the text aloud:
Ce matin, les amis de Claire sont arrivés tôt. Ils ont pris un petit déjeuner dans le jardin. Il faisait beau, nous avons ouvert les fenêtres. Les oiseaux chantaient, ils étaient heureux. Ensuite, ils sont partis faire une excursion à Paris. Mais il pleuvait un peu, alors ils ont attendu le bus. Dans la rue, un enfant regardait un homme âgé jouer de l’accordéon. Claire riait, elle était ravie de sa journée. Le soir, ils ont dîné, et elle a raconté son aventure à sa famille. C’était une belle journée !
Now listen and compare with what you read: the first recording contains all the optional liaisons, the second is without the optional liaisons.
Frequently asked questions
What is a liaison in French?
A liaison means pronouncing the final consonant, normally silent, of a word together with the vowel that begins the next word. For example, the « s » in « les » is pronounced [z] in « les‿amis ».
When do you make a compulsory liaison?
After a determiner or a number (les‿amis, deux‿enfants), between an adjective and its noun (de grandes‿idées), after on, nous, vous, after dans, chez, sans, en, and in set expressions such as « tout‿à coup ».
What is an « aspirated h »?
An aspirated h blocks both liaison and elision: you say « les / héros » and « le hibou », without linking the preceding consonant. A silent h, on the other hand, allows the liaison: « les‿hommes ».
Why do you hear [z] in « les‿amis »?
Because in a liaison the consonant often changes sound: « s » and « x » are pronounced [z], « d » is pronounced [t] and « f » is pronounced [v].
How can I practise liaisons?
Read aloud while marking the liaisons, listen to authentic French and practise with a native teacher who corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can first test your level in a few minutes.
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