prononçons

Prononçons is a conjugated form of the French verb prononcer, meaning to pronounce. Specifically, it is the present tense, first-person plural form (nous prononçons), which can function as the statement “we pronounce” or, in a hortative sense, as the inclusive command “let us pronounce.”

Formation and orthography

Prononcer is a regular -cer verb. In the present tense, the nous form adds a cedilla under the c to preserve the soft [s] sound before the vowel o, yielding prononçons. The full present-tense paradigm is: je prononce, tu prononces, il prononce, nous prononçons, vous prononcez, ils prononcent. The form prononçons is distinct from the present subjunctive form prononçions (que nous prononçions), which includes an -i- and is used in hypothetical or dependent clauses.

Usage and meaning

Prononçons is used to describe the act of pronouncing something, whether as a simple assertion by the speaker and others (nous prononçons les mots) or as an invitation to act together (Prononçons ces noms lentement). It appears in instructional, linguistic, and descriptive contexts, as well as in everyday speech. The word is closely related to prononciation and linguistics, where discussion may center on how words are pronounced or on phonetic details.

Etymology and related forms

The verb prononcer derives from Latin pronunciare, through Old French. Related forms include pronunciation (prononciation), prononciateur/prononciatrice (one who pronounces), and other conjugated forms across tenses and moods.

See also

Prononciation, prononcer, French verbs, orthography of -cer verbs.