Lingopundit Classroom
Lingopundit Classroom
A1
Classroom / A1 / Pronunciation

Pronunciation (Aussprache)

Master German sounds before you start speaking. Each card shows a letter or letter combination, how it sounds, and familiar examples so you can nail the pronunciation from day one.

Sounds

ä
The "ä" Sound
Like the "e" in English "bed" — the umlaut turns "a" into an "eh" sound
ö
The "ö" Sound
Like the vowel in "her" or "bird" (without the r) — say "eh" with rounded lips
ü
The "ü" Sound
Like the "u" in "tube" — say "ee" with rounded lips to get "eww"
ß
The "ß" Sound (Eszett)
The sharp S — always sounds like "s" in "sun". Learn when to write ß vs. ss
v
The "v" Sound
In German, "v" sounds like "f" — the most common beginner trap
z
The "z" Sound
In German, "z" sounds like "ts" — never like the English "z"
y
The "y" Sound
In German, "y" sounds like "ü" (eww) — not like the English "y"
tsch
The "tsch" Sound
Like "ch" in English "chamber" — learn it with examples from English, Hindi & German
eu
The "eu" & "äu" Sound
Like "oy" in English "boy" — both "eu" and "äu" make the same sound
ei
The "ei" Sound
Sounds like "ai" in English "my" — never like "ee". The second letter wins!
ie
The "ie" Sound
Sounds like "ee" in English "see" — never like "ai". The partner rule to "ei"
st...
The "st" Sound
At the start of a word, "st" sounds like "sht" — not like English "st"
sp...
The "sp" Sound
At the start of a word, "sp" sounds like "shp" — same rule as "st"
ch
The "ch" Sound
Three rules: "kh" after a/o/u/au, "sh" after other sounds, "ks" when followed by s