Eszett / scharfes S — always sounds like a sharp "s"
The ß (Eszett) is a uniquely German letter. It always sounds like a sharp, voiceless "s" (like the "s" in English "sun", never like the "z" in "zoo"). The key is knowing when to write ß vs. ss — both sound the same, but the spelling depends on the vowel before them.
1
After a long vowel or diphthongwrite ß
When the sharp "s" sound follows a long vowel (a vowel you stretch out) or a diphthong (ei, au, eu/äu), you write ß. The vowel before ß is always long.
How to remember
Long vowel → ß. Think of it this way: the vowel has room to stretch, so it gets the "big" letter (ß). Short vowel → ss. The vowel is cut short, so you double the "s" to close it off.
Tap to reveal the meaning. Notice how the vowel before ß is always long.
1
Straße
street
tap
2
groß
big / tall
tap
3
Fuß
foot
tap
4
Fußball
football / soccer
tap
5
heiß
hot
tap
6
heißen
to be called
tap
7
weiß
white
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8
Spaß
fun
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9
außen
outside
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10
beißen
to bite
tap
2
After a short vowelwrite ss
When the sharp "s" sound follows a short vowel (a vowel you say quickly), you write ss. The sound is identical to ß — only the spelling changes.
Compare these pairs
Maße (measurements) — long "a", so ß. Masse (mass) — short "a", so ss. Same "s" sound, different vowel length, different spelling!
Tap to reveal the meaning. Notice how the vowel before ss is always short.
