How do you pronounce the R in the French language?

Question

I want to know all the ways that the R is pronounced. I'm not sure if there's more than one...just making sure.

Yeah, it's the Guttural roll that I'm more interested in.

Answer 1

Here's a site that might help...
http://french.about.com/cs/pronunciation/ht/r.htm

My students always ask me how I pronounce it...and this is where I usually refer them to...

Just so you know...the French "R" is more of a guttural sound, originating more from the back of the mouth...closer to the throat...

Answer 2

I have heard different speakers of French pronounce their "R"s 3 different ways:

1. Roll the R on the front of the tongue.
2. Guttural roll from the back of the mouth.
3. No roll at all, same as North Americans pronounce it.
.

Answer 3

Pronounce an english r. Now, move your tongue as far back in your throat as you can and move your tongue the same way you did the first time, only this time it comes from the back of your throat. It should sound very airy, a lot of air should be forced through the mouth while pronouncing it. It's more like HRH if it were written in english.
Another way of explaining it could be: say an H sound, then without stopping at all, make an R sound, and then continue back into another H sound immediately.

If you cannot make it properly, just use the normal R that you're used to, they will still understand you, and may even fancy your accent.

Answer 4

Varies on the notice yet you do no longer roll your R as in spanish. playstation : no longer all francophones communicate the comparable. Kinda like how a Swiss German sounds distinctive than an Austrian or how an Londoner talks distinctive than a Vancouverite.

Answer 5

Normally there is only one kind of R (ulvular roll), regardless of whether it's spelt R or RR

But in some regions they say the R like in Spanish, I suggest you use that pronunciation that's very cute.

Answer 6

might be a little disturbing when I describe it, but this is the best way I can get the message across.

Take the word: Rouge (red).

form your mouth and tongue in the shape that you would to hawk a lugie. then continue with the word.

but with say: quatre
its like cat-tre

hope that helps!

Answer 7

There is more than one way, depending upon region, but you won't go wrong with this:

Let your tongue go up to the top of your mouth and then let it vibrate. Listen to Edith Piaf as she says "non, je ne regrette rien".

A trillar /r/, as in Spanish, Catalan or Italian, just won't work.

Answer 8

Don't overdo it. You can always say you learned Belgian French, and use a regular "R". Some of the biggest stars in France are Belgian. Maybe they love the accent ...

Answer 9

its pronounced rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

no seriously I am not joking roll the r say over and over until you feel the hum in the back of your throat.

Answer 10

If indeed it is pronounced at all, it is rolled. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!