Improve your French pronunciation by learning how to say Jeanne the right way. This French lesson includes audio so you can hear the correct pronunciation.
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Introduction
In this lesson, we’ll learn how to Pronounce Jeanne in French. Jeanne is a feminine name of Hebrew origin. It is pronounced j-a-n in French. The name Jeanne means “God is gracious”.
Jeanne is a popular name in France, and has been since the Middle Ages. It was the name of several important historical figures including Joan of Arc, who was canonized as a saint in 1920.
When writing the name Jeanne in French, it is customary to capitalize the first letter only.
The French Alphabet
In French, there are 26 letters in the alphabet, just as there are in English. However, some of the letters have different pronunciations, and some letters can represent more than one sound. The following table shows the French alphabet and how it is pronounced.
The French Alphabet
Aa /a/ as in father
Bb /b/ as in boy
Cc /s/ as in sister
Dd /d/ as in dog
Ee /ɛ/ as in bed
Ff /f/ as in funny
Gg /ʒ/ as in vision
Hh /ɑ̃/ as in on (this sound doesn’t exist in English)
Ii /i/ as in machine Jj /ʒ/ as in Asia Kk /k/ as in kangaroo
Ll /l/ as in lollipop Mm /m/ as in mother Nn /n/ as in nose
Oo /o/ or /u/ depending on the following letter (see usage notes below)Pp
Qq
Rr of a word; see usage notes below)Ss use both pronounced at the same time (IPA: [t͡s]); this sound doesn’t existTt – Watch out! In French, this is not sounded like an EnglishT. It is sounded much like a soft Tsound.Uu – Pronounce this letter just like a regular U (/y/) when it isVv Ysounded by itself: lune [lyn], but when it appears with a ‘Ww -double vowel’ (ou, ow), it then sounds more like a W: coin [kwẽ]. ThisZz Xsound doesn’t exist at all by itself; a double vowel is alwaysneeded for it to be pronounced.- The French R is trilled with the tongue; this sound doesn’t existin English either. Try saying ‘red’ with your tongue between yourteeth for an approximation.If two vowels appear next to each other with no consonant between them, theyare usually pronounced separately: beau garçon [bo gaʁsõ]. However,sometimes they can form a dipthong and be pronounced together. Seeusage notes below for details.- This consonant is only found at the beginning
Pronouncing French Letters
In French, there are a few letters that can give beginners some trouble. The good news is, once you learn the basic rules, pronouncing these letters is not difficult.
Pronouncing French Letters
The most difficult French letters for English speakers are probably the nasal vowels. These are vowels that are pronounced with your mouth in roughly the same position as when you say “sing,” with the addition of a “n” sound before the vowel. The nasal vowels in French are:
-an
-en
-in
-on
-un
To pronounce these nasal vowels, start by saying the corresponding non-nasal vowel (a, e, i, o, u). Next, make the “n” sound by placing your tongue behind your top front teeth and letting air escape through your nose. For example, to say “ban,” start by saying “ba,” then add the nasal sound. It should sound something like “bawn.”
This may seem like a lot to remember, but once you get used to it, it’ll be second nature. Just take your time and practice each letter until you’re comfortable with it.
Pronouncing French Words
Jeanne is a French female name. Although the name has many correct ways to be pronounced, the most common way to say it is “zhahn.” The letter J in French is pronounced as a soft “jh” sound. This letter combination can be found in other French female names such as Jacquelyn and Jules. The emphasis in Jeanne is placed on the first syllable, “zhahn.” Jeanne can also be spelled without the final “e” and would then be pronounced identically to the male version of the name, John.
Jeanne
Here’s how to say Jeanne in French! Pronounce it like Johh-nah and you’ll be close enough for most French speakers.
Conclusion
We hope this post was helpful in showing you how to pronounce Jeanne in French. As always, practice makes perfect, so be sure to say it out loud a few times. Until next time, à bientôt!
