French H, how is it pronounced?
Aspirated H vs. silent, through the eyes of a native speaker
French H, how is it pronounced?
It is important to know what type of Hs we are dealing with. The nature of the H will determine the pronunciation. With an aspirated H, there is no liaison and the definite article is le, la. With a silent – or mute – H, the liaison is required and the definite article is l’. Following is a short list of common French words starting with Hs.
Example
I made crepes tonight, serendipitously. Yay!
Le hasard m’a fait faire des crêpes ce soir. Youpi !
L’hasard m’a fait faire des crêpes ce soir. Youpi !
H aspiré – voiced
no liaison |
H muet – silent H
requires liaison |
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m/f | haché/e | ground | ø | habiller | to dress/up |
f | haine | hatred | m | habit | fancy outfit |
ø | haïr | to hate | m | habitat | habitat |
ø | haleter | to pant | ø | habiter | to live+place |
m | hameau | hamlet | f | habitude | habit |
m | hamster | hamster | f | haleine | breath |
m | handicap | handicap | f | hallucination | hallucination |
ø | harceler | to harass | m/f | hebdomadaire | weekly |
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