Nasal Sounds (ON, AN/EN, IN/UN)

ناک والی آوازیں

When a vowel is followed by N or M (and then a consonant or end of word), the N/M is NOT pronounced. Instead the vowel goes through your NOSE.

Tip

Test: pinch your nose while saying 'bon'. If the sound changes, you are doing it right! Do NOT close your tongue at the end — there is no 'n' click. Urdu has a similar idea in words like 'ہاں' (haan) and 'میں' (main).

If the N/M is followed by a VOWEL, it is NOT nasal: 'bon' = nasal, but 'bonne' = bon-n (normal). 'un' = nasal, but 'une' = ün (normal).

Spelling patterns

Words and letters

Minimal pairs — hear the difference

All 45 lessons · The French alphabet · Français A0 → A2