How to Pronounce the Letter H in French
The letter “h” in French can be a bit tricky for non-native speakers to master, as its pronunciation varies depending on its position within a word. Here’s a guide to help you understand how to pronounce the letter “h” in French correctly.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the “h” in French is often silent. This means that when it appears at the beginning of a word, it is not pronounced. For example, in the word “hôtel,” the “h” is silent, and the word is pronounced as “oh-tel.” This is the most common use of the silent “h” in French.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. In some cases, the “h” is pronounced as a soft “h” sound, similar to the “h” in “hotel.” This occurs when the “h” is followed by a vowel or a vowel sound, such as in the word “hiver,” which is pronounced as “ee-vee-er.” In this case, the “h” is pronounced softly and is followed by a long “e” sound.
Another exception to the silent “h” rule is when the “h” is followed by a “u” or “ou” sound. In these instances, the “h” is pronounced as a soft “h” sound, but the “u” or “ou” is pronounced as a long “oo” sound. For example, in the word “houmous,” the “h” is pronounced softly, and the “ou” is pronounced as “oo,” making the word sound like “ho-oo-mus.”
Additionally, the “h” in French can also be pronounced as a hard “h” sound when it is followed by a consonant. This occurs in words like “haut,” which is pronounced as “oh-tay.” In this case, the “h” is pronounced as a hard “h” sound, similar to the “h” in “hat.”
To summarize, here are the key points to remember when pronouncing the letter “h” in French:
1. The “h” is usually silent at the beginning of a word.
2. The “h” is pronounced as a soft “h” sound when followed by a vowel or vowel sound.
3. The “h” is pronounced as a soft “h” sound when followed by a “u” or “ou” sound.
4. The “h” is pronounced as a hard “h” sound when followed by a consonant.
By familiarizing yourself with these rules and practicing the pronunciation of words with the letter “h,” you’ll be well on your way to speaking French more fluently.
