How to Pronounce "Plus" in French
The pronunciation of "plus" in French might seem tricky at first. Many learners wonder: should we pronounce the "s"? And when? Don't worry, we'll explain everything!
1. Essential Rules
The pronunciation changes depending on how you use the word "plus". Here's a quick overview:
| Context | Pronunciation | French Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Positive sentence (meaning "more") |
[plys] | "J'en veux plus" (I want more) |
| Negative sentence (meaning "no more") |
[ply] / [plyz] | "Je n'en peux plus" (I can't take it anymore) |
| Comparison (meaning "more than") |
[ply] / [plys] / [plyz] | "Plus grand que toi" (Taller than you) |
2. Detailed Explanations
2.1 In Positive Sentences
This is the simplest case! When you want to say "more" or "additional", always pronounce the "s": plys.
Examples:
- "Je voudrais plus de café, s'il vous plaît!" [plys]
(I would like more coffee, please!) - "Il y en a plus dans le placard." [plys]
(There's more in the cupboard.)
2.2 In Negative Sentences (ne... plus)
The main rule is simple: in most cases, don't pronounce the "s" [ply]. There's only one exception: before a vowel or silent "h", pronounce the "s" as [z].
| Special Case | French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Before a vowel | Je ne suis plus intéressé [plyz] | I'm no longer interested |
| All other cases | Je ne veux plus partir [ply] | I don't want to leave anymore |
2.3 In Comparisons
The comparison rules are a bit more nuanced, but don't worry! Let's start with the simplest case: when using "plus de" or "plus que" (more than), always pronounce the "s" [plys].
For other cases, follow this pattern:
- Before a vowel: pronounce [plyz]
- Before a consonant: don't pronounce the "s" [ply]
Here's a detailed table to help you understand:
| Type of Comparison | Pronunciation | Examples with Translation |
|---|---|---|
| "plus de" or "plus que" | [plys] |
• Plus de temps [plys] (More time) • Plus que prévu [plys] (More than expected) |
| Before a vowel or silent h | [plyz] |
• Plus intelligent [plyz] (More intelligent) • Plus ancien [plyz] (Older/More ancient) |
| Before a consonant | [ply] |
• Plus grand [ply] (Taller/Bigger) • Plus tard [ply] (Later) |
3. Practical Tips
- When in doubt in a negative sentence, don't pronounce the "s" - it's the most common case!
- For comparisons with "plus de/que", always pronounce the "s".
Quiz
1.Je ne veux plus partir.
2.Plus on attend, plus c'est difficile.
3.Il y a plus de monde aujourd'hui !
4.Je voudrais plus de café.
1.C'est plus intelligent.
2.J'ai plus de temps.
3.Elle court plus vite.
4.C'est plus amusant.
5.Il n'est plus intéressé.
1.Plus que prévu.
2.Il n'y a plus d'eau, il faut en acheter plus.
3.Plus anxieux qu'avant, il n'est plus capable de dormir.
4.Il n'est plus là depuis hier.
1.Je ne peux plus attendre plus longtemps.
2.Plus ou moins.
3.De plus en plus.
4.Je n'ai plus aucune idée.