If you’re an expat learning French, you’ve probably seen verbs ending in -ent and wondered why you can’t hear it when people speak. You’re not imagining things—this is a classic quirk of French pronunciation.
Let’s clear it up once and for all. On y va!
- Learn French With an Experienced Language Coach
- What Does “-ent” Sound Like in French?
- The “Ils/Elles” Verb Rule: Why “-ent” Is Silent
- But Wait—Isn’t “-ent” a Nasal Sound?
- Real-Life Examples for Expats: How It Sounds in Conversation
- A Crucial Reminder: Present-Tense Conjugation for “Ils/Elles”
- How to Train Your Ear as an Expat
- Final Thought: Ignore “-ent” With Your Mouth, Not With Your Eyes
What Does “-ent” Sound Like in French?
The key point:
In most French words, “-ent” is pronounced ( e.g. le client, le président, le parent…). But in verb endings for “ils” and “elles” in the present tense, it is 100% silent.
The “Ils/Elles” Verb Rule: Why “-ent” Is Silent
In French present-tense verb conjugation, the -ent ending for “ils” and “elles” is grammatical only—not phonetic.
It’s silent.
| Verb | ils/elles form | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| parler | ils parlent | /il paʁl/ (not /paʁlənt*)* |
| aimer | elles aiment | /ɛl zɛm/ (not /ɛmɑ̃t*)* |
| finir | ils finissent | /il finis/ (not /finisɑ̃t*)* |
| vendre | elles vendent | /ɛl vɑ̃d/ (not /vɑ̃dənt*)* |
What is the reason?
This helps speech flow naturally—a defining feature of spoken French.
Pronouncing every letter would make the language overly stiff and clunky.
So French drops the -ent sound here for elegance and efficiency.
Examples where “-ent” is pronounce
- évident → /e.vi.dɑ̃/
- différent → /di.fe.ʁɑ̃/
- puissant → /pɥi.sɑ̃/
In these cases, -ent produces a nasal vowel sound /ɑ̃/, just like -an or -en. You do pronounce it.
But when “-ent” appears at the end of a conjugated verb for “ils” or “elles”, it is not pronounced at all.
But Wait—Isn’t “-ent” a Nasal Sound?
That’s a smart question.
As a French learner, you’ve probably encountered -ent in other words like évident, important, or différent, where it is pronounced—and as a nasal vowel.
Here’s the distinction:
| Word Type | Example | Pronunciation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective/Noun | évident | /e.vi.dɑ̃/ | nasal /ɑ̃/ |
| Verb (ils/elles) | ils parlent | /il paʁl/ | silent |
So yes, “ent” = nasal sound in many nouns and adjectives.
But for verb endings in the present tense with ils/elles, it’s totally silent.
Want to Hear the Difference?
Watch this brilliant 2-minute explainer from ARTE’s Karambolage:
▶️ Nasal vowels in French – Karambolage (YouTube)
It walks you through the 4 main nasal vowels in French and shows how the sound is formed through your nose, unlike silent verb endings.
Real-Life Examples for Expats: How It Sounds in Conversation
In Paris, talking with colleagues:
- Ils mangent à midi
- → pronounced /il mɑ̃ʒ a midi/
- (You don’t say mɑ̃ʒɑ̃t)
- Elles parlent souvent français
- → pronounced /ɛl paʁl suvɑ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛ/
- (You don’t say parlənt)
Even in fast, informal speech, that -ent remains silent.
This can trip up learners who expect sound to match spelling—but in French, they often don’t.
At Home or With Friends
- Ils rentrent tard ce soir.
→ /il ʁɑ̃tʁ taʁ sə swaʁ/
(They’re coming home late tonight.) - Elles regardent la télé.
→ /ɛl ʁəɡaʁd la tele/
(They are watching TV.) - Ils jouent aux cartes tous les dimanches.
→ /il ʒu o kaʁt tu le dimɑ̃ʃ/
(They play cards every Sunday.)
At the Market or in Town
- Elles achètent du pain.
→ /ɛl aʃɛt dy pɛ̃/
(They’re buying bread.) - Ils prennent le bus ensemble.
→ /il pʁɛn lə bys ɑ̃sɑ̃bl/
(They’re taking the bus together.) - Ils cherchent une pharmacie.
→ /il ʃɛʁʃ yn faʁmasi/
(They’re looking for a pharmacy.)
In the Workplace
- Ils travaillent beaucoup.
→ /il tʁavaj boku/
(They work a lot.) - Elles finissent toujours à 17h.
→ /ɛl finis tuʒuʁ a dis sɛt œʁ/
(They always finish at 5 PM.) - Ils discutent de ce projet.
→ /il diskyt də sə pʁoʒɛ/
(They’re discussing this project.)
In a French Class
- Ils comprennent la différence.
→ /il kɔ̃pʁɛn la difeʁɑ̃s/
(They understand the difference.) - Elles étudient le français.
→ /ɛl etydji lə fʁɑ̃sɛ/
(They study French.) - Ils répètent après le professeur.
→ /il ʁepɛt apʁɛ lə pʁɔfesœʁ/
(They repeat after the teacher.)
A Crucial Reminder: Present-Tense Conjugation for “Ils/Elles”
Here’s a refresher with common regular verbs:
| Infinitive | ils/elles form | How it sounds |
|---|---|---|
| chanter | ils chantent | /il ʃɑ̃t/ |
| finir | elles finissent | /ɛl finis/ |
| attendre | ils attendent | /il atɑ̃d/ |
You never pronounce the final “-ent” in these. However, liaison rules can change what links between words.
Example:
🗣 Ils aiment écouter de la musique → /il zɛm ekute/
Here, the s from ils links with aiment, not the -ent.
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How to Train Your Ear as an Expat
If you’ve been reading more than listening, this detail can feel unnatural.
But the more you expose yourself to real French—TV, podcasts, conversations—the more this pattern will click.
Tips:
- Focus on the verb stem, not the ending.
- Practice with audio + transcript (like TV5MONDE).
- Imitate native rhythm and don’t over-articulate endings.
Final Thought: Ignore “-ent” With Your Mouth, Not With Your Eyes
When writing, “-ent” is required. When speaking, it disappears.
It’s one of those “grammar ghosts” in French—seen but not heard. Understand it once, and your pronunciation (and confidence) will improve instantly.
Want a mini quiz or pronunciation drill set based on this? Let me know.
Déborah, Your French Teacher
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Your writing is a true testament to your expertise and dedication to your craft. I’m continually impressed by the depth of your knowledge and the clarity of your explanations. Keep up the phenomenal work!