Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
In French, many words end in silent consonants (like the 's' in les). However, when the next word starts with a vowel sound, that silent consonant 'wakes up' and links to the next word to create a smooth flow.
How It Works
Liaison is a fundamental rule of French phonetics. It prevents 'hiatus' (the clashing of two vowel sounds) and makes the language sound fluid.
1. How the sounds change:
Sometimes the consonant sound changes when it links:
- S, X, Z become a [z] sound (e.g., les amis sounds like 'lay-zah-mee').
- D changes to a [t] sound (e.g., grand homme sounds like 'gran-tom').
- T is simply pronounced as its natural [t] sound (e.g., petit ami).
- N: Determiners like un keep their nasal sound, but adjectives like bon lose the nasal sound and sound like their feminine form (e.g., bon ami sounds like 'bo-nami').
2. When is it Mandatory?
Become proficient in these essential links:
- Between a determiner and a noun: les enfants, un ami.
- Between a pronoun and a verb: nous avons, vous habitez.
- Between an adjective and a noun: un petit appartement.
- After numbers and the adverb très: deux ans, très utile.
3. When is it Forbidden?
- Never link after the word et (and).
- Never link after a singular noun (e.g., un chat / intelligent).
- Do not link before an 'aspirated H' (like in les héros).
Examples (6)
- Les amis
The friends
Word by Word: The friends
The 's' in 'les' is normally silent, but here it is pronounced as a [z] to link with 'amis'.
- Vous avez deux enfants.
You have two children.
Word by Word: You have two children.
There are two liaisons here: 'Vous_avez' and 'deux_enfants'. Both 's' and 'x' sound like [z].
- C'est un bon ami.
He is a good friend.
Word by Word: It is a good friend.
In 'bon ami', the nasal 'n' sound is lost and it sounds like 'bo-nami'. This happens with adjectives ending in nasal vowels.
- C'est très intéressant.
It is very interesting.
Word by Word: It is very interesting.
Liaison is mandatory after the adverb 'très'. The 's' links to the vowel and sounds like [z].
- Un garçon et une fille.
A boy and a girl.
Word by Word: A boy and a girl.
Liaison is forbidden after 'et'. The 't' remains silent even though 'une' starts with a vowel.
- Il est un grand homme.
He is a great man.
Word by Word: He is a great man.
The 'd' in 'grand' changes its sound to a [t] when linking to 'homme'.
Common Mistakes
Pronouncing the 't' in 'et' (and) before a vowel.
un homme et_un enfant (pronouncing the T)un homme et un enfant (silent T)The word 'et' is a 'forbidden liaison' zone. You must never pronounce the 't', no matter what word follows it.
Linking after a singular noun.
un chat_intelligent (pronouncing the T)un chat intelligent (silent T)In normal speech, liaison is not made after a singular noun. Even if the next word starts with a vowel, the final consonant stays silent. (A few fixed phrases, like 'fait accompli', are exceptions.)
Linking with an 'aspirated H' word.
les_héros (pronouncing the Z)les héros (silent S)Some words starting with H (aspirated H) block liaison. Linking 'les héros' makes it sound like 'les zéros' (the zeros)!
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- Dropping a vowel before another vowel
Elision (dropping a vowel) and Liaison (adding a consonant sound) are both tools French uses to avoid vowel clashes.
Level 1 - lesDefinite Article Les (Plural)
Plural articles like 'les' almost always require a liaison when followed by a vowel.
Level 1 - Adjectives that come before the noun
Adjectives that come before the noun, like 'petit' or 'grand', are primary locations for mandatory liaison.
Level 1 - nousFirst-person Plural Nous
Subject pronouns ending in 's' (nous, vous, ils, elles) link to the verb if it starts with a vowel.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
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