Learn French: Elles lisent une histoire à leurs enfants. - They are reading a story to their children.

Elles lisent une histoire à leurs enfants.

They are reading a story to their children.

Breakdown of Elles lisent une histoire à leurs enfants.

at / to / in (general locations) / about (what one thinks about / reacts to)

leur

their (singular and plural forms: leur, leurs)

Questions & Answers about Elles lisent une histoire à leurs enfants.

Why is it lisent and how is it pronounced?

Lire (to read) is an irregular verb. The "they" form (ils or elles) is lisent. Keep in mind that the -ent at the end of French verbs is completely silent, so it is pronounced just like "leez".

Why do we need the word à in this sentence?

In French, the structure is lire quelque chose à quelqu'un (to read something to someone). The à translates to "to", connecting the action of reading to the people receiving it (leurs enfants).

Why does leurs have an "s" at the end here?

Leur means "their". In French, possessives must match the noun they describe. Because enfants (children) is plural, you have to use the plural form leurs. If they were reading to just one child, it would be leur enfant.

How do I pronounce leurs enfants? Is the "s" silent?

Normally, the "s" at the end of leurs is silent. However, because enfants starts with a vowel, you must make a liaison (a linked sound). The "s" connects to the "e" and sounds like a "z": "leur-z-enfants".