So MEMORIZE THE 1ST COLUMN as they produce ONE/SINGLE sound but all other combinations are read as separate alphabet vowel sounds. I know, I am repeating myself but this is critical to remember if you want nice French sounds when you talk French.

HEAR the AUDIO version

in Windows Media Player.

 

 

COLUMN 1	COLUMN 2
Pronounce these as ONE vowel sound	Pronounce these and any other combinations as SEPARATE vowel sounds
ai je vais .... like A in “bad” Exception: j’ai (like the a in cake)	ia French eg.: mari-age
au / eau auto	ua French eg. nu-age
ou douze, ou, où	uo French eg.:du-o
oi moi	io French eg.: idi-ot
eu / oeu / oe deux BUT neuf, soeur, oeuf, oeil	ue French eg.: du-el
eilike AY in "he says". French eg.: seize, treize	ie French eg.: ci-el