What NOT to pronounce in French
–You don’t pronounce the letter -e at the end of a word if this word does not have an accent.
–You don’t pronounce the letter -h at the start of a word. This -h is silent.
For example: homme (man), habiter (to live).
-When a word ends with certain consonants (-d, -p,-s, -t, -x, -z) you don’t pronounce that last consonant.
For example: petit (little), froid (cold).
Exceptions:
-You do pronounce the letter -c in the following words:
Alfred, David,sud (south)
-You do pronounce the letter -p in the following words:
Un cap (cape, stage, direction), un slip (briefs,pants)
-You do pronounce the letter -s in the following words:
autobus, fils (son), tennis
-You do pronounce the letter -t in the following words:
brut (raw), huit (eight), ouest (west). You also pronounce the last -t with words ending with -ct and –pt such as: direct, strict, concept, sept (eight).
-You do pronounce the letter -x in the following words:
Aix, ex, index (forefinger), six.
-You do pronounce the letter -z in the following words:
gaz (gaz).
CaReFul rule
If a word ends with the letter -c, -r, -f or -l (the consonants in the word CaReFuL), the final letter is pronounced.
Example: un chef, chair (flesh).
Important note
If a word ends with -er you don’t pronounce the letter -r.
Example: premier (first), aller (to go).
Exceptions:
-You do not pronounce the letter -c in the following words:
blanc (white), banc (bench), tabac (tobacco), estomac (stomach), franc (frank), porc (pork).
-You do not pronounce the letter -f in the following words:
nerf (nerve), oeuf (egg), clef (key).
-You do not pronounce the letter -l in the following words:
gentil (nice), outil (tool), appareil (device).oeil (eye).
the Big Good Quality Kale rule
If a word ends with the letter -b -g -q -k you pronounce that last letter.
Example: cinq (five), club (club, group).
Exceptions:
plomb (lead)
grog (hot toddy)