Two vowels, two meanings
French keeps u [y] and ou [u] strictly apart, and the difference changes the word: tu (you) is not tout (all). The ou is easy, because it is the oo in food. The u is a sound English does not have.
U [y]
How to make it
- 1
Say “ee”
As in see. Keep your tongue exactly there.
- 2
Round your lips tightly
As if you were whistling or blowing a kiss, without moving the tongue.
- 3
Hold the sound
What comes out is the French u.
salut
hi / bye
une
a / one (feminine)
musique
music
bureau
office, desk
OU [u]
Round your lips and pull the tongue back, as for English oo in food. Keep it pure: the sound does not glide into a w.
bonjour
hello
nous
we
toujours
always
couleur
colour
Hear the difference
tu
you (informal)
tout
all, everything
sur
on
sous
under
vu
seen
vous
you (formal / plural)
rue
street
roue
wheel
In full sentences
Salut ! Tu vas où ?
Hi! Where are you going?
Nous sommes dans la rue.
We are in the street.
Mon bureau est sous la fenêtre.
My desk is under the window.
