Vowel Sounds /ø/œ/y/u/o/ɔ/
/ø/
The letter combinations eu and œu are pronounced /ø/, when they are found within a syllable that ends in a vowel (an open syllable),
/œ/
and pronounced /œ/ when the syllable ends in a consonant (a closed syllable).
/y/
One noteworthy exception is the verb avoir in the past tense. Despite the eu letter combination, it is always pronounced /y/.
The letters u and û when appearing as a single vowel are pronounced /y/.
After the letters c and g, the letter combination eu is reversed to become ue. Nevertheless, it is still pronounced just like eu.
The letter combination ou is pronounced /u/.
For English speakers, pronouncing /y/ and /u/ clearly can be a challenge.
/o/
The letter combinations eau and au are pronounced /o/. In addition o, ô, have the /o/ sound when they are in an open syllable - a syllable that ends in a vowel sound.
/ɔ/
and the /ɔ/ sound when part of a closed syllable.
/wa/
The letters oi are pronounced /wa/.