Improve your language skills with these five French tongue twisters
As well as being a fun party trick, these can help you master pronunciation of difficult sounds
You are sure to laugh while practising these tongue twisters
pics five / Shutterstock
Pronunciation and speaking fluidly can be one of the most difficult aspects of mastering the French language.
A good way to practise different sounds is with French tongue twisters, or virelangues.
As well as being difficult to get your head - and tongue - around, they are also an insight into French culture, with many having been passed down through generations.
Once mastered, you can impress your French friends and colleagues with your recital and, on a larger scale, they will help to target specific, difficult-to-pronounce sounds, helping to strengthen your pronunciation and speed up your speech.
They will also refine your accent by helping you to get a better grasp on French phonetics and silent letters.
Read more: Unlocking the puzzle of French humour
Classic French Tongue Twisters to Try
1. Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches, archi-sèches?
Translation: Are the archduchess's socks dry, very dry?
This famous virelangue is known for its complex blend of “ch” and “s” sounds. The repetition of soft and hard consonants makes it particularly tricky to pronounce quickly.
2. Je veux et j’exige du jasmin, des jonquilles et du genêt.
Translation: I want and demand jasmine and daffodils.
This one is filled with the nasal "j" sound common in French, making it a good practice for controlling French nasal vowels.
Find an example pronunciation here.
3. Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu
Translation: If my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved.
Here, the repetition of "ton" and "tonton" helps train your tongue to handle rapid, similar sounds in sequence. It might take a while to get it right, but it's a playful way to practice the "on" nasal sound.
Take inspiration from this.
4. Fruits frais, fruits frits, fruits cuits, fruits crus
Translation: Fresh fruit, fried fruit, cooked fruit, raw fruit
This tongue twister is packed with the ‘ui’ sound which can be a struggle for English speakers to pronounce. If you manage to master this one, other words with the same sound will be much easier.
5. Cinq chiens chassent six chats
Translation: Five dogs hunt six cats.
This one plays with the "ch" and "s" sounds, making it tricky to say quickly!
