5 French Words English Speakers Can’t Pronounce Properly!

Learning French is fun, but let’s be real—some words can be a real tongue twister for English speakers! Whether it’s the unfamiliar sounds or tricky combinations of letters, certain French words tend to trip up even the most enthusiastic learners.

Here are 5 French words that English speakers often struggle with—and how to pronounce them like a native!

1. Grenouille (Frog)

Pronunciation: /gruh-NOO-yuh/

This word often makes English speakers cringe because of its tricky “ouille” ending. The sound is like a blend of “wee” and “yuh,” which doesn’t exist in English. To nail it, try saying “noo” and lightly adding “yuh” at the end. Maybe that’s why the British call the French the froggies!

Pro Tip: Break it down slowly: greh-n + oo-yuh.

2. Feuille (Leaf)

Pronunciation: /fuh-yuh/

This is another word that confuses English speakers because of the “euille” sound. The secret is to keep it soft and smooth, with a slight “y” sound after the “eu”.

Common mistake: Many learners overemphasize the ending and end up saying something like foy-yuh or foil. Don’t! Keep it light: fuh-yuh.

3. Serrurerie (Locksmith’s Shop)

Pronunciation: /seh-roo-ruh-REE/

With its repetitive “r” sounds and alternating vowels, this word is a classic nightmare for English speakers. The French “r” is pronounced at the back of the throat, which is very different from the English “r” sound.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to roll your “r” like in Spanish—French “r” is more like a soft gargling sound! Practice with words like rue(street) to get comfortable.

4. Haut (High)

Pronunciation: /oh/

You might think this word is easy—after all, it’s just three letters, right? But here’s the catch: the final “t” is silent, and the “h” is also silent! The result is a single “oh” sound.

Common mistake: English speakers often pronounce the “h” or mistakenly add an English “t” sound at the end. In French, just keep it simple: oh.

5. Pneu (Tire)

Pronunciation: /p-nuh/

This word is tough because English speakers aren’t used to starting a word with “pn”. The trick is to pronounce both letters without adding a vowel between them. The “p” is lightly pronounced, followed by a quick “nuh”.

Pro Tip: Practice saying puh and nuh together quickly, then drop the “uh” in puh to get p-nuh.

Learn How to Pronounce French properly

French pronunciation can be tough, but don’t let it discourage you! The key to mastering tricky words is practice—listen to native speakers, repeat after them, and focus on keeping your mouth relaxed. The more you practice, the more natural these words will feel.

Want to improve your French pronunciation faster? Join one of our French courses where we’ll help you master even the trickiest French sounds—and have fun doing it!