Say the R like a Native French

“Rentrer”   

A French word with the dreaded R sound! TWICE! 

Can you say it, or do you recoil in resigned acceptance that it’s just too hard?

I only learnt this relatively recently. Why? Because my teachers never told me, they even found it hard.

Then I decided to look and feel in SLOW MOTION at how the sound was made. 

Cracked it! 

If you get your mouth and tongue in the right position, it will almost come naturally as the English way of saying actually PREVENTS us from getting anywhere near it! 

Come on - it’s easier than you think! What have you got to lose? 

It’s YOUR TURN . . .  

• The easy way to pronounce the French R

• How to switch easily from English to French pronunciation

• Some great examples for you to practise with 

How do you pronounce the French R?

First, I invite you to watch the video in order to see how I produce this French sound but also to actually hear it.

If you pay attention to the shape of my mouth, you will notice that it’s not wide open. On the contrary, it can be rounded and a bit closed depending on the following vowel.

Inside my mouth, my tongue is down and a bit towards the back. Indeed, the sound R is achieved at the back of your mouth, in your throat. This explains why it’s a guttural sound.

The best way to learn a sound is to compare it another one. How do you pronounce the English R?

You will observe how it’s different from the French one because it sounds as if you are gargling slightly and thrusting air out!

It’s a bit exaggerated, but not far from reality either.

With practice, you’ll achieve the perfect dose of “gargle”...

I therefore have a series of French words for you to play with in the next section.

Practise the R with these French words.

Whenever you wish to improve a sound, you need to do it with the letter at a different position within a word: at the beginning, in the middle and at the end.

Lucky you! Whether it’s one R or two, it’s the same sound.

Let’s see the first word:

• rentrer >>> to go back

In this word, you have 3 times the letter R but only 2 matter because the last one is the sound é. As a result, you should pay attention to the R at the beginning and in the middle.

Here’s a full sentence:

• Ils rentrent chez eux à 18h00. >>> They go back home at 6 PM.

The second one is:

• rat >>> rat 

Just focus on the first letter. It’s just one sound and the T is silent.

I have this example for you:

• Les rats aiment le fromage comme les souris. >>> Rats like cheese like mice do.

Once more, let’s practise with a verb with two lots of R.

• rire >>> to laugh 

You deal with one sound since the last vowel is silent. It may take you several repetitions to master it. Keep it going. You can do it!

Here’s one way to practise:

• Cet enfant aime rire. >>> This child loves to laugh.

Let’s carry on with another series of French words...

Let’s study this one

• rongeur >>> rodent

In this word, the first R is stronger than the last one because of its position.

Here’s a complete sentence:

• Les rats et les souris sont des rongeurs. >>> Rats and mice are rodents.

The following one is:

• rôti >>> roast

By the way, if you speak Spanish, the letter J (jota) is the equivalent of the French R!

I have this sentence for you:

• J’adore le poulet rôti avec des pommes de terre. >>> I like roast chicken with potatoes.

What happens with double R?

• arrogant >>> arrogant

It’s exactly the same pronunciation. 

You could try saying this:

• Cet homme est très arrogant. >>> This man is very arrogant.

Let’s finish with one last series of French words.

This French word is useful

• grippe >>> flu

Since it’s the second letter, its sound is very light.

Play with this sentence:

• Je prends du miel quand j’ai la grippe. >>> I take honey when I have the flu.

The following one is a verb:

• frapper >>> to beat / to knock

Remember that the last R is silent or part of the é sound. And the first R is connected to the F.

You could see or hear this:

• Je frappe toujours avant d’entrer. >>> I always knock before entering.

Let’s finish with another verb:

• attraper >>> to catch 

Be sure to watch the video to hear the pronunciation.

Then, practise with this:

• Le chien arrive à attraper la balle. >>> The dog manages to catch the ball.

Say the R like a Native French.

The good news is that with one R or two, it’s the same pronunciation. In order to master this sound, first you need to know what happens in your mouth when you say the English R, then the French one.

Don’t be scared to use a very guttural sound from the back of your throat. Don’t be ashamed to pretend to gargle and thrust while producing a French R. With time, you’ll be able to say it like a native person.

It takes time and courage, so use all the examples I gave you and practise.

If you wish to improve other French sounds, I have these for you:

How do you pronounce the French nasal sound ON?

How to pronounce the French nasal sound AN

What are your tips to produce the French R? Are there other sounds you struggle with in French?