You Have Probably Been Saying Au Revoir Wrong
You are at the end of a lovely conversation with a French colleague or a new friend from Paris. You want to leave on a good note, so you attempt the classic French goodbye: “Au revoir.” But as the sounds leave your mouth, you see a flicker of confusion or a polite smile that doesn’t quite reach their eyes. The moment feels awkward. You are left wondering if you just butchered one of the most common phrases in the French language.
This scenario is incredibly common. “Au revoir” seems straightforward, but its pronunciation is a minefield of subtle, non-English sounds. Mispronouncing it can make you sound like a textbook, not a confident speaker. Getting it right, however, opens a door. It shows respect for the language and culture, and it transforms a basic farewell into a genuine, graceful exit.
This guide is not just about repeating sounds. We will break down “au revoir” into its core components, teach you the muscle memory for French pronunciation, and provide practical exercises to move from awkward to authentic. By the end, you will know exactly how to pronounce au revoir like you have heard it in Parisian cafes.
What Au Revoir Actually Means and Why Pronunciation Matters
Before we tackle the sounds, understanding the phrase itself is crucial. “Au revoir” translates literally to “to the seeing again.” It is the standard French expression for “goodbye,” but it carries the hopeful expectation of meeting again. It is not as final as “adieu” (to God), which implies a more permanent farewell.
This inherent warmth is why pronunciation matters. A flat, mispronounced “au revoir” can sound robotic and dismissive. The correct pronunciation, with its soft vowels and linked rhythm, conveys the phrase’s true sentiment. It is the difference between slamming a door and closing it gently. In social and professional settings with French speakers, nailing this detail demonstrates cultural awareness and effort, which is always appreciated.
The Complete Sound Breakdown of Au Revoir
Let us dissect the phrase word by word. Forget English phonics; we are entering French territory.
The First Word: “Au”
The word “au” is a contraction of “à” (to) and “le” (the). In pronunciation, it is a single sound.
– The Vowel Sound: This is the biggest hurdle for English speakers. The “au” is pronounced like a long, closed “o” sound. It is similar to the “o” in the English word “go,” but purer and more rounded. Your lips should form a tight, small circle.
– Common Mistake: Do not pronounce it like “ow” (as in “cow”) or “aw” (as in “saw”). That is the most typical error. The French “o” does not involve moving your jaw down or changing the vowel quality.
– Practice Tip: Say the English word “go.” Now, try to say just the “o” part while keeping your lips tightly rounded and your tongue low in your mouth. Hold the sound: “ohhh.” That is the French “o.” For “au,” it is exactly that sound.
The Second Word: “Revoir”
This word means “to see again.” It is where the magic of French linking happens. Do not treat it as “reh-vwar.” Break it into syllables: re-voir.
– The “Re” Sound: The “r” here is the famous French guttural “r.” It is a soft, throaty sound made at the back of the mouth, not with the tip of the tongue. For beginners, a good approximation is a gentle, gargled “h” sound, like you are lightly clearing your throat. The “e” that follows is a schwa—a quick, neutral “uh” sound. So “re” sounds like “ruh” with that throaty “r.”
– The “Voir” Sound: This syllable is key. The “oi” in French is a distinct vowel blend pronounced “wah.” Your lips start rounded for a “w” and transition smoothly into an “ah” sound. The final “r” in “voir” is technically pronounced, but it is extremely subtle—often just a slight constriction in the throat or a hint of the guttural “r” without fully articulating it. In everyday speech, especially at the end of a phrase, it is very soft.
– The Link: Critically, you do not pause between “au” and “revoir.” The final “o” sound of “au” flows directly into the throaty “r” of “revoir.” This is called liaison or linking, and it makes the phrase sound like one fluid unit: “oh-r’vwahr.”
Putting It All Together: The Native Pronunciation
Now, let us connect the pieces with a practical, step-by-step method.
1. Start with the “O”: Form your lips into a small, tense circle. Produce a pure, long “oh” sound. Hold it for a beat: “ohhh.”
2. Initiate the Throaty R: Without stopping the sound or opening your lips wide, engage the back of your throat. Gently transition from the “oh” into a soft, gargled “r” sound. It should feel like the sound is rolling from your lips back into your throat: “oh-r”.
3. Glide into “Voir”: Immediately from that throat position, say the “vwahr” sound. Remember, “oi” is “wah.” The “v” is soft. Think “v-wahr.” The final “r” is a faint echo, not a strong consonant.
The full, linked pronunciation sounds like: oh-r’vwahr.
Phonetic Approximation for English Speakers: “oh ruh-VWAHR” (with the “r” in “ruh” being guttural and the syllables blended). The stress is very even, with perhaps a slight emphasis on the final syllable, “voir.”
Listen and Imitate: The Best Practice Method
Reading guides is one thing; training your ear is another. You must hear the correct pronunciation.
– Use Google Translate: Go to translate.google.com. Set the language to French. Type “au revoir” in the left box. Click the speaker icon to listen. Repeat it out loud immediately after. Do this 10 times in a row.
– Forvo.com: This is a treasure trove. Search for “au revoir.” You will hear it pronounced by multiple native speakers from different regions. Notice the subtle variations in the “r” but the consistency of the vowel sounds.
– Shadowing: Play a clip from a French film or YouTube video where someone says “au revoir.” Pause it. Try to copy the exact melody, rhythm, and sound. Record yourself on your phone and compare. This is the fastest way to improve.
Common Pronunciation Errors and How to Fix Them
Let us diagnose the usual mistakes so you can avoid them.
– The “Aw Reh-Voyr” Error: Pronouncing “au” as “aw” (like in “saw”) and “revoir” as separate, hard syllables. This sounds distinctly American and stiff.
Fix: Drill the pure French “o” sound. Practice the word “eau” (water), which has the same “o” sound. Say “oh” repeatedly, focusing on lip rounding.
– The Over-Emphasized R: Making the final “r” in “revoir” a strong, rolling or English “r” sound. This adds a harsh, incorrect finish.
Fix: Practice saying “voir” by itself, aiming to let the final sound fade away into a soft, open “ah.” Think “vwah” with a barely-there throat closure.
– The Separated Words: Putting a clear pause or glottal stop between “au” and “revoir.” This breaks the fluidity.
Fix: Practice the link. Say “au” and then whisper the “r” sound immediately after, without a vowel in between. Build up to the full phrase from there.
Beyond the Basics: When and How to Use Au Revoir
Pronunciation is half the battle; usage is the other half. Knowing when to say it makes you sound natural.
– The Standard Goodbye: Use “au revoir” in most situations when leaving a shop, ending a meeting, or parting ways with someone. It is formal enough for business and casual enough for friends.
– The Expected Response: When someone says “au revoir” to you, the standard reply is also “au revoir.” You can add “à bientôt” (see you soon) or “bonne journée” (have a good day) for extra polish.
– Formality Nuance: In very casual settings with close friends, especially younger people, you might hear “salut” for both hello and goodbye. But “au revoir” is never wrong and is always safe.
– Body Language: Pair your correctly pronounced “au revoir” with a slight nod or a smile. It completes the graceful exit.
Your Action Plan for Mastery
Knowledge without practice is forgotten. Here is your 7-day plan to lock in the correct pronunciation.
– Day 1-2: Sound Isolation. Spend 5 minutes just on the “au” sound. Then 5 minutes on the guttural “r” in “re.” Use the listening resources.
– Day 3-4: Syllable Linking. Practice saying “au-re” as one unit: “oh-r”. Focus on the fluid transition. Then add “voir”: “oh-r’vwahr.”
– Day 5: Record and Compare. Record yourself saying the phrase. Play it back next to a native recording from Forvo. Be critical but kind. Note one thing to improve.
– Day 6: Use It in a Sentence. Practice common leave-taking sentences: “Merci, au revoir !” or “Alors, au revoir madame.” This builds real-world muscle memory.
– Day 7: Mental Recall. Throughout your day, whenever you think of it, internally pronounce “au revoir” correctly. This reinforces neural pathways.
Embrace the Journey of Learning Sounds
Pronouncing “au revoir” correctly is more than a party trick. It is a small act of linguistic respect that smooths social interactions and deepens your connection to the French language. It shows you care about the details. Do not be discouraged if it does not feel perfect immediately. The French “r” alone takes time for non-natives to master.
Start with the approximation, focus on the vowel sounds and the link, and keep listening. The goal is not perfection, but progression—away from the awkward, textbook pronunciation and toward a natural, confident farewell that promises, as the phrase intends, that you will indeed be glad to see them again.
Your next step is simple: open a new tab, go to Forvo or Google Translate, and listen. Then, say it out loud. You have the guide. Now, make the sound.
