why qu can sound like k or kw
In modern French, the letters qu most often sound like a simple k. Yet some words keep an older or borrowed kw sound. This is why question and aquarelle behave in different ways, even though both contain qu. Question is said roughly as kes-tyon [kɛstjɔ̃]. Aquarelle is said roughly as a-kwa-rel [akwaʁɛl]. The difference is…