Liaisons in French are essential for fluent and natural speech. However, some liaisons are forbidden and sound particularly unnatural to native speakers. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at French liaison rules – in particular, identifying when liaisons should not be made.
What is a liaison? The word “liaison” refers to the linking of the final consonant of one word to the initial vowel of the next.
When not to make the liaison can be a tricky topic for French learners, which is why it is the focus of our latest episode of The Coffee Break French Show – a podcast series in which we explore and explain interesting French language topics. Join Max and Mark in this episode, who will help you avoid common mistakes and sound more natural in your French conversations by following proper French liaison rules.
Listen along to the podcast episode as you read this article, so that you can hear all of the words and phrases spoken out loud. And once you reach the end, look out for your free worksheet download, which will allow you to put your knowledge to the test.
C’est parti !
H-words: ‘h aspiré’ vs. ‘h muet’
When it comes to French liaison rules, some words beginning with h- block liaisons, while others do not. This depends on whether the h- is aspiré (aspirated) or muet (silent).
H aspiré: no liaison occurs
For words that start with h aspiré, the h- acts like a consonant. Here are some examples:
un hibou
an owl
no liaison
un hérisson
a hedgehog
no liaison
H muet: liaison is compulsory
For words that start with h muet, the h- is silent and treated as if the word starts with a vowel. For example:
deux hommes
two men
liaison occurs, pronounced as deux (z)hommes
No liaison after ‘et’
One of the crucial French liaison rules (and also an easy one to apply) is that there is never a liaison after the conjunction et (“and”). Let’s look at an example.
Vincent et Anne vont au cinéma.
Vincent and Anne are going to the cinema.
In this sentence, making the liaison between et and Anne (et (t)Anne) is incorrect and would sound unnatural to a native French speaker.
Subject (if not a pronoun) + verb
When the subject is not a pronoun, no liaison occurs between the subject and the verb. Let’s see some examples.
Le chien aboie.
The dog barks.
Here, there should be no liaison between chien and aboie (chien (n)aboie).
Quelqu’un a du café ?
Does someone have coffee?
Similarly, a liaison between quelqu’un and a (quelqu’un (n)a) would be incorrect and sound unnatural here.
After ‘combien’ and ‘comment’
Another one of our French liaison rules is that there is no liaison after the adverbs combien (“how much”) and comment (“how”).
Comment a-t-il pris la nouvelle ?
How did he take the news?
In this example, there should be no liaison between comment and a (comment (t)a).
Combien avons-nous de livres ?
How many books do we have?
Likewise, a liaison between combien and avons (combien (n)avons) should also be avoided here.
After long adverbs ending in ‘-t’
Long adverbs ending in –t do not link to the following word with a liaison. For example:
Il est immédiatement intervenu.
He immediately spoke out.
Il est vraiment intelligent.
He is very smart.
After the verb
When it comes to French liaison rules, no liaison occurs after the verb when followed by a noun or pronoun. Let’s look at some more examples.
Il apprend une leçon.
He is learning a lesson.
There should be no liaison between apprend and une (apprend (t)une) in this sentence.
Mark boit un café.
Mark is drinking a coffee.
Similarly, boit (t)un, with the liaison between boit and un would not be correct.
Elle part en vacances.
She is going on holiday.
In this sentence, too, a liaison between part and en (part (t)en) would be incorrect.
After a first name
No liaison occurs after a first name. For example:
Pierre-Benoît est en France.
Pierre-Benoît is in France.
Vincent a une belle voiture.
Vincent has a beautiful car.
Optional liaisons
In most other cases, liaisons are optional and depend on the formality of the situation or personal speaking style. You can learn more about when to make the liaison in French in another episode of The Coffee Break French Show.
Recap of forbidden liaisons in French
Understanding forbidden liaisons is crucial for mastering French liaison rules. Let’s summarise with our example sentences:
Le chien aboie.
The dog barks.
Incorrect: Le chien (n)aboie.
Quelqu’un a du café ?
Does someone have coffee?
Incorrect: Quelqu’un (n)a du café ?
Comment a-t-il pris la nouvelle ?
How did he take the news?
Incorrect: Comment (t)a-t-il pris la nouvelle ?
Combien avons-nous de livres ?
How many books do we have?
Incorrect: Combien (n)avons-nous de livres ?
Il apprend une leçon.
He is learning a lesson.
Incorrect: Il apprend (t)une leçon.
Elle boit un thé.
She is drinking tea.
Incorrect: Elle boit (t)un thé.
Elle part en vacances.
She is going on holiday.
Incorrect: Elle part (t)en vacances.
Vincent et Anne vont au cinéma.
Vincent and Anne are going to the cinema.
Incorrect: Vincent et (t)Anne vont au cinéma.
Pierre-Benoît est en France.
Pierre-Benoît is in France.
Incorrect: Pierre-Benoît (t)est en France.
Vincent a une belle voiture.
Vincent has a beautiful car.
Incorrect: Vincent (t)a une belle voiture.
Practising French liaison rules
Now, it’s time to put your understanding of the French liaison rules to the test! How would you pronounce these sentences? You can find the answers at the end of the article.
- Les enfants aiment jouer. (“The children like to play.”)
- Les élèves étudient sérieusement. (“The pupils study seriously.”)
- Vincent et Anne vont au cinéma. (“Vincent and Anne are going to the cinema.”)
- C’est dans un mois qu’ils arrivent ? (“Is it in a month that they’re arriving?”)
- Vous êtes impatients ? (“Are you impatient?”)
- Un grand état indépendant. (“A large independent state.”)
Mastering French liaison rules, including knowing when not to make liaisons, is key to speaking French naturally and fluently. Avoiding forbidden liaisons will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid common mistakes that can disrupt the flow of your speech.
Don’t forget to listen to our video and podcast episode on forbidden liaisons for more examples and practice with Max and Mark on The Coffee Break French Show. And for more content from Coffee Break French, subscribe to our podcast feed and YouTube channel.
Additionally, you can sign up for our email lessons to receive regular updates and learning materials directly to your inbox. Just look out for the sign-up box.
Happy Coffee Breaking!
PS. Here are the answers to the challenge:
- Les (z)enfants aiment jouer. – There should be a liaison made between les and enfants. There should be no liaison between enfants and aiment.
- Les (z)élèves étudient sérieusement. – There should be a liaison made between les and élèves. There should be no liaison between élèves and étudient.
- Vincent et Anne vont (t/X)au cinéma. – The liaison between vont and au is optional. There should be no liaison between Vincent and et, and no liaison between et and Anne.
- C’est dans (z)un mois qu’ils (z)arrivent ? – There should be a liaison made between dans and un, and between ils and arrivent.
- Vous (z)êtes impatients ? – There should be a liaison made between vous and êtes. There should be no liaison between êtes and impatients.
- Un grand (t)état indépendant. – There should be a liaison made between grand and état. There should be no liaison between état and indépendant.
