When learning French, one of the most exciting challenges is mastering the pronunciation of words borrowed from English. “Shorts” is one such word that has made its way into the French language, but it doesn’t quite sound the same as it does in English. So, how do you pronounce “shorts” in French? Let’s break it down!
The Word “Shorts” in French
In French, the word “shorts” refers to the same item of clothing as in English — the comfortable, casual garment typically worn in warm weather. But the way you pronounce it differs due to the rules of French pronunciation.
The French pronunciation of “shorts” is typically written as:
/ʃɔʁts/ (shorts)
Here’s a closer look at the sounds:
- “Sh” Sound (/ʃ/): The “sh” sound, represented by ʃ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), is the same as the “sh” in English words like “ship” or “she.” This is the first sound in the French pronunciation of “shorts.”
- “Or” Sound (/ɔʁ/): The “or” in French is pronounced a bit differently than in English. It’s a rounded vowel sound, like the “aw” in the English word “law,” but with a slight rolling “r” sound (this is typical of the French “r”). So, “or” in “shorts” sounds more like “or” in “bore.”
- Final “Ts” (/ts/): The final “ts” sound is pronounced similarly to how it sounds in English but with a slightly softer “t” and no heavy emphasis on the “s.” This part is crisp and clear.
So, when you put it all together, the French pronunciation of “shorts” sounds like “shawrts” with a softer, rolling “r.”
Things to Keep in Mind
- Silent “T”: In many French words, the letter “t” at the end of a word can be silent, but in the case of “shorts,” the “t” is pronounced, as it’s part of the final “ts” sound.
- No Vowel Sound Before “Sh”: Unlike in English, where the “sh” sound is often preceded by a vowel, in French, it’s usually just a clean “sh” sound without an extra vowel sound before it.
Using “Shorts” in French Sentences
Now that you know how to pronounce “shorts,” let’s look at how you might use it in a sentence. Here are a couple of examples:
- J’aime porter des shorts en été.
(I like to wear shorts in the summer.) - Ces shorts sont trop petits pour moi.
(These shorts are too small for me.)
Notice how the pronunciation of “shorts” remains consistent in both sentences, and the rules of French pronunciation apply to its use.
Conclusion
Pronouncing “shorts” in French may seem simple, but it’s a great example of how English words can take on new sounds and rules when they are borrowed into another language. Remember that in French, “shorts” is pronounced “shawrts”, with a soft “sh,” a rounded “or,” and a crisp “ts” at the end.
So, next time you’re talking about your favorite summer clothing item in French, you can confidently pronounce “shorts” like a local!