The final letter — when is it pronounced

In one line

A word's final consonant is usually silent — except C R F L (and q), which are usually pronounced. "Usually", not always: the exceptions are right below.

The table

The basic rule

English drops final letters as well — but one word at a time. The b in lamb, the n in autumn, the k in knock: each has to be memorised. In French it is the default, and it applies to words you have never seen. So a long-looking French word is usually shorter than it appears: beaucoup is two syllables, vingt is one.

The four letters that are pronounced — C R F L

The memory word: CaReFuL

And q too: cinq /sɛ̃k/.

And the e that is never pronounced — but wakes up what comes before it

That e has no sound of its own, but it brings the consonant before it to life.

English has the same silent-e-that-does-something device. In hat → hate, rid → ride, the final e is not pronounced either; it reaches back and changes the word. French uses the trick on the consonant instead of the vowel: the e is silent, and the consonant in front of it becomes audible.

Exceptions

Examples

Common mistakes

And liaison — when a silent consonant wakes up