Linking and Connecting Sounds in French

To speak French fluently, it's important to master the linking and connecting of sounds. These two techniques help join words together to make speech sound smoother and more natural.

Connecting (Enchaînement)

Connecting happens when a word ends in a voiced consonant sound and the next word starts with a vowel.

For example, in the sentence "Patrick arrive aux États-Unis demain", the "c" sound in "Patrick" connects with the "a" in "arrive". You say "Patric arrive". The "v" sound in "arrive" connects with the "au" in "aux". You say "arriv aux".

The consonants that connect are still heard, even when you say the word alone:

• "Patrick" (the "c" is pronounced)
• "arrive" (the "v" is pronounced)

Linking (Liaison)

Linking happens when a silent consonant at the end of a word is pronounced because the next word starts with a vowel. The pronunciation of this silent consonant might change.

In the sentence "Patrick arrive aux États-Unis demain":

• the silent "x" in "aux" is pronounced as "z" before the "É" in "États". You say "aux États".
• the silent "s" in "États" is pronounced as "z" before the "U" in "Unis". You say "États Unis".

Pronunciation Rules for Linking

Some letters change their sound during linking. Here are the most common ones:

• The letter d is pronounced as t.
• un grand homme → un grant homme
• The letters s and x are pronounced as z.
• les enfants → lez enfants
• deux amis → deuz amis
• The letter g is pronounced as k in formal speech, but as g in everyday speech.
• un long hiver → un lonk hiver (formal)
• un long hiver → un long hiver (everyday)
• The letter f is pronounced as v only before the words "ans" and "heures".
• neuf ans → neuv ans
• neuf heures → neuv heures
• Nasal vowel sounds un and on become non-nasal when the word containing them is followed by a masculine noun starting with a vowel. They are pronounced like the corresponding oral vowel (e or o) followed by an "n" or "m" sound.
• certain intérêt → certain intérêt
• plein air → plein air
• moyen âge → moyen âge
• bon exercice → bon exercice

The Three Types of Linking

There are three types of linking: mandatory, optional, and forbidden.

Mandatory Linking

You must link in the following cases:

1. Between a determiner and a noun.

• les amis
• quelques idées
• mes étudiants

1. Between an adjective placed before (anteposed) and a noun.

• un bon avocat
• ces beaux arbres
• de longues études

1. After a numeral adjective.

• neuf ans et demi
• il a cinq enfants
• elle a trois amis

1. Between a personal pronoun and a verb, a verb and a pronoun, or two successive pronouns.

• ils en ont un
• peut-on y aller?
• allez-vous-en

1. After a one-syllable adverb followed by an adjective or a verb.

• Ce tableau est très abstrait.
• Ce plat est bien assaisonné.
• Vous êtes mieux informés.

1. After a one-syllable preposition.

• dans une heure
• chez eux
• sous un arbre

1. In fixed expressions and compound words.

• de plus en plus
• petit à petit
• tout à coup
• d'ores et déjà

Optional Linking

These links are not required, but they are often used in formal or elevated speech.

1. Between a plural noun and an adjective or a prepositional phrase.

• les personnes en question
• ces romans anciens
• les bateaux à voile

1. In compound verb tenses.

• ils sont arrivés plus tôt que prévu
• vous serez informés demain
• c'est osé

1. Between two verbs or a verb followed by an adverb.

• ils vont attendre un peu
• il parlait à voix basse
• elle ne pouvait s'empêcher de rêver à lui

1. After "quand", "mais", "dont", and "soit".

• Il voulait venir mais il n'a pas pu.
• Quand il est arrivé, elle a été soulagée.
• Le livre dont elle a besoin est sur la table.

1. After "pas", "plus", and "rien".

• Il n'a pas eu le temps.
• Je ne veux plus entendre parler de ça.
• Elle n'a rien à ajouter.

1. After adverbs or prepositions with more than one syllable.

• C'est complètement idiot.
• C'est vraiment urgent.
• Ils sont totalement épuisés.

Forbidden Linking

You must not link in the following cases, otherwise you will make a pronunciation mistake:

1. After a proper noun.

• Madame Leroux est arrivée.
• Bernard est sorti.

1. Before a noun starting with an aspirated 'h'.

• les hiboux
• un hamster
• en Hollande

1. After the coordinating conjunction "et".

• un chat et un chien
• du pain et un café

1. After a singular noun.

• ce chat a faim
• c'est un repas infect

1. Before the numerical adjectives "onze" and "huit".

• les onze ans de Julie
• les huit parcours sont difficiles

1. Before certain words of foreign origin that start with the sounds "y" and "w".

• les yaourts
• un whisky

1. After interrogative words (with exceptions).

• Combien avez-vous de sœurs?
• Comment est le cours?
• Quand est-il arrivé?
• Exception: Linking is mandatory after "comment" in the question "Comment allez-vous?"

1. After "quand" when it comes before "est-ce que" or before a vowel.

• Quand est-ce que tu pars?

1. After a plural noun in compound words.

• des arcs-en-ciel
• nez à nez
• des ronds-de-cuir

1. After the pronouns "un" and "aucun".

• J'en ai un aussi.
• N'en donne aucun aux enfants.

1. After "quelqu'un".

• Quelqu'un a sonné?
• Quelqu'un a-t-il quelque chose à ajouter?

1. After certain verbs conjugated in the second person of the present indicative and present subjunctive.

• Tu finis à dix heures.
• Je préfère que tu prennes un taxi.

To master linking, it's recommended to listen to a lot of spoken French and practice saying texts, sentences, and words out loud. The more you train your ear, the more naturally linking and connecting sounds will happen.