Understanding the Two Meanings of “Plus” in French
In French, “plus” can indicate two main things:
- More / A greater amount – Used to express an increase or addition.
- No more / Not anymore / None – Used to express a negation, absence, or end of something.
How you pronounce “plus” depends on which meaning you intend. Let’s look at both pronunciations in detail.
How to Pronounce “Plus” When It Means “More”
When “plus” is used in a positive sense to mean “more” or “plus” (as in mathematics), the final ‘s’ is pronounced. The word sounds like “plyoos” [plys].
Examples:
- J’en veux plus. (I want more.) – Pronounced: [plys]
- Deux plus deux égale quatre. (Two plus two equals four.) – Pronounced: [plys]
- Il a plus d’amis que moi. (He has more friends than me.) – Pronounced: [plys]
Notice that when “plus” is used with a comparative or to indicate an addition, the ‘s’ is always pronounced.
How to Pronounce “Plus” When It Means “No More”
When “plus” is used in a negative sense, meaning “no more,” “not anymore,” or “none,” the final ‘s’ is usually silent. It is pronounced “plu” [ply].
Examples:
- Je n’en veux plus. (I don’t want any more.) – Pronounced: [ply]
- Il n’y en a plus. (There are none left.) – Pronounced: [ply]
- Elle ne travaille plus ici. (She doesn’t work here anymore.) – Pronounced: [ply]
Here, the ‘s’ is dropped, and the word ends with the [y] sound, similar to the English word “blue” but with the lips more rounded.
Exceptions and Special Cases
French pronunciation rules always come with exceptions. Here are a few important ones to remember:
- Emphasis or Clarity: Sometimes, even in negative sentences, the final ‘s’ is pronounced for emphasis or to avoid misunderstanding, especially in spoken French.
Example: Personne ne viendra plus. (No one will come anymore.)
If you want to emphasize “no one will ever come again,” you may pronounce the ‘s’. - When “plus” is followed by a vowel sound or a silent ‘h’, the ‘s’ is often pronounced (liaison) to ease pronunciation.
Example: Il n’y a plus assez. (There isn’t enough anymore.) – Pronounced: [ply zazɛ]
Tips for Mastering “Plus” Pronunciation
- Listen and Repeat: Use language learning tools like Talkpal to listen to native speakers and repeat after them.
- Practice with Context: Try forming both positive and negative sentences with “plus” to get used to switching between the pronunciations.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone or Talkpal’s features to record your voice and compare your pronunciation to native speakers.
- Pay Attention to Liaison: Notice when the ‘s’ is pronounced for easier flow between words, especially before vowels.
Summary Table: Pronouncing “Plus” in French
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Example | Phonetic |
|---|---|---|---|
| More / Plus (Positive) | With ‘s’ | J’en veux plus. | [plys] |
| No more / Not anymore (Negative) | Without ‘s’ | Je n’en veux plus. | [ply] |
| Negative + vowel (liaison) | With ‘s’ | Il n’y a plus assez. | [plyz] |
Conclusion
Getting the pronunciation of “plus” right is a small but powerful way to boost your French fluency. Remember: pronounce the ‘s’ for “more,” and keep it silent for “no more”—except in special cases like liaison or emphasis. With regular practice using platforms like Talkpal, you’ll master these nuances and speak French with greater confidence and clarity.
