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Learn Frenchwith Natives
ENFR

A2 Lesson 2 of 3 · Liaison, Rhythm & Intonation

Linking words and the dropped e

French flows as one block of sound: enchaînement, and the e that disappears in everyday speech.

12 min · 6 activities

In this lesson you will

  • Link words in a breath group
  • Understand je suis → “chui”, je ne sais pas → “chais pas”
  • Speak at a more natural rhythm
QuizMatchingSpeaking

Lesson summary

The key points to remember, for revision.

  • 1Enchaînement: a pronounced final consonant links to the next vowel (il‿habite‿à…).
  • 2Spoken French drops e and ne: je ne sais pas → « chais pas », il y a → « y a ».
  • 3Understand these forms; in exams, speak clearly but naturally.

Key vocabulary

« chais pas »I don’t know (spoken)
« y a »there is (spoken)
« t’es »you are (spoken)