The French letter x does not have one fixed sound. It can be pronounced ks, gz, z, sometimes s, and in many words it is not pronounced as a separate letter at all in any simple way. The sound depends on word structure and word history.

X pronounced like “ks”

This is the most common value of x in French spelling. It appears in the middle of many words and also in some words beginning with x, especially xy- words.

Examples:

• Taxi – “Taxi”
• Texte – “Text”
• Fixer – “To fix”
• Flexible – “Flexible”
• Complexe – “Complex”
• Excellent – “Excellent”
• Xylophone – “Xylophone”
• Xylème – “Xylem”
• Xylophage – “Wood-eating”

Example phrases:

• J’ai pris un taxi. – “I took a taxi.”
• Ce texte est difficile. – “This text is difficult.”
• Il faut fixer le problème. – “We must fix the problem.”
• C’est une situation complexe. – “It is a complex situation.”
• Le xylophone est dans la salle de musique. – “The xylophone is in the music room.”
• Cet insecte est xylophage. – “This insect eats wood.”

In many words this comes directly from Latin x or from Greek forms where x already represented a ks sound.

X pronounced like “gz”

This is very common in ex- words when x is followed by a vowel sound or a mute h. In these cases the x is voiced and becomes gz. This is often (but not exclusively) found in French words of Latin origin, rather than of Greek origin.

Examples:

• Exemple – “Example”
• Examen – “Exam”
• Exiger – “To demand”
• Exister – “To exist”
• Exotique – “Exotic”
• Exact – “Exact”
• Exagérer – “To exaggerate”

Example phrases:

• Donnez un exemple. – “Give an example.”
• J’ai un examen demain. – “I have an exam tomorrow.”
• Le professeur exige du silence. – “The teacher demands silence.”
• Il existe une solution. – “A solution exists.”
• C’est une plante exotique. – “It is an exotic plant.”

A useful working pattern is:

• ex + vowel sound often becomes egz
• ex + consonant often stays eks

This is not perfect in every case, but it holds often enough to guide learners.

X pronounced like “z”

This occurs in a few common grammatical and lexical situations, especially in numbers and in ex- words where the consonant has softened between vowels.

Examples:

• Deuxième – “Second”
• Sixième – “Sixth”
• Dixième – “Tenth”

Example phrases:

• C’est la deuxième fois. – “It is the second time.”
• Il est en sixième. – “He is in sixth grade.”
• C’est la dixième personne. – “It is the tenth person.”

The z sound appears because French prefers smooth linking between vowel sounds in these forms.

X pronounced like “s” or changing in numbers

In the words six and dix, the final x can change depending on context.

Examples:

• Six – “Six” [SEESS]
• Dix – “Ten” [DEESS]

Example phrases:

• J’ai six livres. – “I have six books.” [SEE]
• Il a dix voitures. – “He has ten cars.” [DEE]
• Six amis sont venus. – “Six friends came.” [SEE ZAH MEE SOn VE NUU]

Before a consonant or pause, six and dix are often pronounced with a final s sound (SEESS, DEESS). Before a vowel, they often link with a z sound (six amis → SEE ZAH MEE).

Silent x in spelling (no sound for the letter itself)

In some words, the letter x is not pronounced as a separate sound. The pronunciation is fixed historically and is not built from sounding out the letter.

Examples:

• Paix – “Peace” [PAY/PEH]
• Choix – “Choice” [SHWAH]
• Noix – “Walnut” [NWAH]
• Prix – “Price” [PREE]
• Croix – “Cross” [KRWAH]

Example phrases:

• Je veux la paix. – “I want peace.”
• Quel choix difficile. – “What a difficult choice.”
• Le prix est élevé. – “The price is high.”
• La croix est ancienne. – “The cross is old.”

These words come from older French forms where final consonants were reduced or lost in speech, while spelling kept older traces.

Place names with final x

Place names often preserve old spellings. The final x is usually not pronounced as a distinct letter.

Chamonix

Chamonix is pronounced roughly SHAH MOH NEE. The final x is not sounded.

Example:

• Je vais à Chamonix cet hiver. – “I am going to Chamonix this winter.”

Aix-en-Provence

Aix is pronounced roughly eks. The spelling contains a final x, but it is not pronounced as a separate letter. The sound of the word comes from its historical development as a whole.

Example:

• Elle habite à Aix-en-Provence. – “She lives in Aix-en-Provence.”

Liaison with final x

Even when final x is silent in isolation, it may produce a z sound in liaison before a vowel.

Examples:

• Deux amis – “Two friends” [DEr ZAH MEE]
• Six enfants – “Six children” [SEE ZOn FOn]
• Dix ans – “Ten years” [DEE ZOn]

Compare:

• J’ai deux livres. – “I have two books.” [JAY DEr LEEV rer]
• J’ai deux amis. – “I have two friends.” [JAY DEr ZAH MEE]

Summary

• X can be pronounced ks, gz, z, or be silent in spelling.
• Xylophone and xy- words use ks.
• Ex- before vowels often becomes gz, as in exemple, exiger, examen.
• Six and dix change pronunciation depending on context.
• Many final x letters are not sounded, especially in older words and place names.
• Liaison can turn final x into a z sound before vowels.