Word-Final Tension: -ille (ville vs fille)
The same -ille spelling hides two different sounds — and one common exception to watch for.
Most words ending in -ille pronounce ill as /ij/ (like 'y' in 'yes'): fille (girl/daughter), famille (family).
Exception: a small group of common words keep the plain /il/ sound instead: ville (city), mille (thousand), tranquille (quiet).
Trap for English speakers: don't let the ending trail off softly like English — French final consonants are released crisply, so fille ends cleanly on /j/, not a mumbled 'fee-uh'.
- fille — girl/daughter — regular /ij/
- ville — city — the v-exception /il/
- famille — family — regular /ij/
- mille — thousand — exception /il/
- vanille — vanilla — regular /ij/
- tranquille — quiet — exception /il/