How to Ask How a French Word Is Pronounced and Repeat It Back
Learn to ask how to pronounce a French word, then repeat it back to check you have it right, using natural beginner-level French.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you meet a new French word, the spelling often hides the sound: final consonants are frequently silent, and letter combinations like 'eau' or 'gn' do not match English habits. This lesson teaches you two linked skills: asking how a word is pronounced, and repeating the word back so the other person can confirm or correct you. These are different from asking someone to repeat something they said; here your goal is to learn the pronunciation of a word you have seen or noted.
By the end, you can…
- ask how a French word is pronounced.
- repeat a word back to check my pronunciation.
- understand a simple confirmation or correction.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Comment se prononce ce mot ?
How is this word pronounced?
koh-mahn suh pro-nohns suh moh
Neutral, standard question about a written word. 'Se prononce' is the passive form, useful when you are looking at the word.
Comment on prononce ce mot ?
How do you pronounce this word?
koh-mahn ohn pro-nohns suh moh
Very common in speech. 'On' here means 'one/you' in general, not a specific person.
Comment ça se dit ?
How do you say it?
koh-mahn sah suh dee
Casual and frequent. Use it when the word or idea is already clear from context.
Je répète : ... ?
I'll repeat: ... ?
zhuh ray-pet ...
Say this before repeating the word back. The colon is not spoken; pause briefly instead.
C'est bien ça ?
Is that right?
say byan sah
A short check after your repetition. It invites a yes/no confirmation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Comment se prononce + [word] ?' or 'Comment on prononce + [word] ?'. For example: 'Comment se prononce « eau » ?' (How is 'eau' pronounced?) and 'Comment on prononce « fils » ?' (How do you pronounce 'fils'?). To check yourself, repeat the word and add 'C'est bien ça ?' — 'Je répète : « eau », c'est bien ça ?' This keeps the exchange short and clear.
When to use it
Use these questions when you see a written word and want its sound, not when you missed what someone said. If you simply did not hear, ask 'Vous pouvez répéter ?' (Can you repeat?) or 'Comment ?' (Sorry, what?). Use the pronunciation question for new vocabulary, menus, signs or names: 'Comment se prononce votre nom ?' (How is your name pronounced?). After the answer, repeat the word with 'Je répète : ... ?' so the speaker can confirm or correct you.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Comment se prononce ce mot ?
How is this word pronounced?koh-mahn suh pro-nohns suh mohOn dit « mercredi » : mer-cre-di.
You say 'mercredi': mer-cre-di.ohn dee mair-kruh-dee : mair-kruh-deeJe répète : mercredi. C'est bien ça ?
I'll repeat: mercredi. Is that right?zhuh ray-pet mair-kruh-dee. say byan sahOui, c'est ça !
Yes, that's it!wee, say sahA little context goes a long way
In France, 'Comment on prononce... ?' is relaxed everyday speech; 'Comment se prononce... ?' sounds slightly more careful or written. In Quebec and other francophone regions, the same questions are understood, though casual pronunciation of 'on' may sound different. With strangers, add 's'il vous plaît' at the end for politeness: 'Comment se prononce ce mot, s'il vous plaît ?'
One thing to watch for
Using 'Comment se prononce ce mot ?' when you actually missed what someone said.
Try this instead: If you did not hear, ask 'Vous pouvez répéter ?' or 'Comment ?'. Use the pronunciation question only for learning how a written word sounds, for example: 'Comment se prononce « eau » ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You see the word 'eau' on a menu. Ask how it is pronounced.
Show a sample answer
Comment se prononce « eau » ?
This directly asks about the pronunciation of a written word. 'Comment on prononce « eau » ?' is also correct and more casual.
2You want to repeat the word 'mercredi' back for confirmation. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Je répète : mercredi. C'est bien ça ?
'Je répète' introduces your attempt, and 'C'est bien ça ?' asks for confirmation. 'C'est correct ?' is possible but less natural here.
3You did not hear what someone said. Which question fits better: 'Comment se prononce ce mot ?' or 'Vous pouvez répéter ?'
Show a sample answer
Vous pouvez répéter ?
This asks for repetition of speech you missed. The pronunciation question is for learning how a written word sounds.
Ask 'Comment se prononce ce mot ?' for a written word, then repeat it with 'Je répète : ... C'est bien ça ?' to confirm your pronunciation.
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