Pronunciation (Aussprache)

  • Vowels - Vokale

    Character Sound Example
    A, a uh under
    E, e eh egg
    I, i ee feet
    O, o oh  
    U, u oo  
    Ä, ä ae hand
    Ö, ö   word
    Ü, ü oo Über, stupid

  • Dipthongs - Dipthonge

    Dipthongs mean Gliding vowels which are a combination of two adjacent vowel sounds in the same syllable.

    Character Sound Example
    au ow aus (from)
    ei aye  
    ai aye  
    eu oy europa
    äu oy  
    ie ee  

  • More additions

    Character Sound Example German Example Remarks
    sch sh      
    ch       like imitating a cat's hiss
    chs x      
    r       like gurgling
    s z buzz Rose only at the start of words or after long vowels
    ss ss   Gosse only after a short vowel
    ß ss hiss Soße  
    st sht     Sometimes pronounced as "st"
    sp shp     Sometimes pronounced as "sp"
    pf pf      
    ph f      
    th t     mostly for adopted words
    • Presence of silent "h" before a vowel make it a little bit longer e.g es geht (sounds like "day"), Sohn (sounds like "zone")