French EN

Mastering the 'French EN' sound will help you sound more authentic when speaking English words borrowed from French, adding a touch of elegance to your pronunciation.

How to make it

1. Drop your jaw slightly.
2. Tighten or round your lips.
3. Arch the back of your tongue.
4. Lower your soft palate to direct airflow through your nose, creating a nasal sound.

Watch out for

• Pronouncing it like a regular 'on': While common in casual speech, aim for the nasal quality to sound more authentically French.
• Forgetting the nasalization: The key is to let air flow through your nose, not just your mouth, for that distinct sound.

Words to try

• ensemble
• genre
• encore
• entrée
• envoy
• entrepreneur
• en route

💡 Practice makes perfect! Don't be afraid to experiment with the nasal quality until it feels natural.