This key facts covers Key sounds to memorise within Tricky combinations: ç, qu, ch, gn and liaison for GCSE French. Revise Tricky combinations: ç, qu, ch, gn and liaison in Phonics: French Sounds and Spellings for GCSE French with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key sounds to memorise
- ç = [s] — sounds like: "s" — examples: le garçon, français, ça va, la leçon, la façade
- qu = [k] — sounds like: "k" (u always silent) — examples: qui, que, quand, quatre, quelque
- ch = [ʃ] — sounds like: "sh" — examples: le chocolat, chez, la chambre, chercher, choisir
- gn = [ɲ] — sounds like: "ny" (as in canyon) — examples: la montagne, espagnol, le champignon, mignon, magnifique
- -tion = [sjɔ̃] — sounds like: "s-yon" — examples: la station, l'attention, la nation, la direction, la révolution
- liaison -s/-x = [z] — sounds like: "z" before vowel — examples: les enfants [le zɑ̃fɑ̃], deux amis [dø zami]
Practice questions for Tricky combinations: ç, qu, ch, gn and liaison
What does the cédille (ç) do in French?
How is the word 'garçon' pronounced in French?
Quick recall flashcards
What does the cédille (ç) do?
The cédille forces a soft 'S' sound before a, o, u. Without it, c before a/o/u would be hard 'K'. français = 'fron-SAY'. garçon = 'gar-SON'. leçon = 'luh-SON'. ç is NEVER used before e or i (c is already soft there).
quatre — how is this pronounced?
'KAT-ruh' — the 'qu' makes a simple 'K' sound (u is silent), the 'r' is a French uvular R, and the final 'e' is a faint schwa. Means 'four'.