Voyelles nasales

[ɛ̃] main graphemes

in/im, ain/aim, ein/eim, yn/ym, un/um, en (after i/y/é)

[ɛ̃] examples with in/im

vin, fin, timbre, simple

[ɛ̃] examples with ain/aim

main, demain, faim

[ɛ̃] examples with ein/eim

plein, Reims, enceinte

[ɛ̃] examples with yn/ym

lynx, synthèse, sympa, thym

[ɛ̃] examples with un/um

brun, emprunt, humble, parfum

[ɛ̃] examples with en after i/y/é

chien, moyen, coréen, lycéen

[ɛ̃] exception: coin vs coïn

coin = 1 syllable [kwɛ̃], coïn = 2 syllables (no nasal)

[ɛ̃] exception: Reims

pronounced like "rince" [ʁɛ̃s]

[ɛ̃] exception: words ending -en

dolmen, specimen, amen, hymen, abdomen, gluten = [ɛn] (NOT nasal)

[ɛ̃] exception: words ending -um

aquarium, muséum, minimum, podium = [ɔm] (NOT nasal)

[ɛ̃] exception to -um rule

parfum = [ɛ̃] (stays nasal)

[ɛ̃] exception: à jeun

pronounced like "Agen" [aʒɛ̃]

[ɑ̃] main graphemes

an/am, en/em

[ɑ̃] examples with an/am

sans, tant, quand, cancan, rang, clan, blanc, pan, chambre, ampoule

[ɑ̃] examples with en/em

sentir, lent, vent, gens, fréquent, membre, temple, temps

[ɑ̃] examples with -ient (noun/adj)

client, patient (en pronounced [ɑ̃])

[ɑ̃] examples with aon

faon, paon, taon, Laon

[ɑ̃] exception: words ending -am

islam, macadam, Amsterdam, Vietnam, Sam = [am] (NOT nasal)

[ɑ̃] exception to -am rule

Adam = [ɑ̃] (stays nasal)

[ɑ̃] exception: John

pronounced like "gens" [ʒɑ̃]

[ɑ̃] exception: fan

pronounced [fan] because short for "fanatique"

[ɑ̃] exception: Caen

pronounced like "quand" [kɑ̃]

[ɑ̃] exception: lycaon

pronounced [li.ka.ɔ̃] (2 syllables, not nasal)

[ɔ̃] main graphemes

on/om

[ɔ̃] examples with on/om

bon, thon, rond, blond, non, nom, rompre, succomber

[ɔ̃] exception: monsieur

pronounced [mə.sjø] (NOT nasal)

[ɔ̃] exception: pom-pom girl

pronounced [pɔm] (NOT nasal)

Regional variation note

In Quebec and Southern France, [œ̃] is used instead of [ɛ̃] for un/um spellings

Parisian French note

[œ̃] does not exist in Parisian French and is replaced by [ɛ̃]