Learning German begins with understanding its sounds and letters. In this lesson, you will learn the German alphabet, the unique sounds of its vowels, consonants, and diphthongs, and how to pronounce words correctly. This foundational knowledge will help you build confidence in speaking and listening.
What You Will Learn
- The German alphabet and its pronunciation.
- Unique German letters (ä, ö, ü, ß).
- Key pronunciation rules for vowels, consonants, and diphthongs.
- Common challenges for English speakers and tips to overcome them.
The German Alphabet
The German alphabet has 26 letters, similar to English, but with some additional characters. Here is the full list with pronunciations:
| Letter | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| A | [ah] |
| B | [beh] |
| C | [tseh] |
| D | [deh] |
| E | [eh] |
| F | [eff] |
| G | [geh] |
| H | [hah] |
| I | [ee] |
| J | [yot] |
| K | [kah] |
| L | [ell] |
| M | [emm] |
| N | [enn] |
| O | [oh] |
| P | [peh] |
| Q | [koo] |
| R | [err] |
| S | [ess] |
| T | [teh] |
| U | [oo] |
| V | [fow] |
| W | [veh] |
| X | [iks] |
| Y | [üpsilon] |
| Z | [tset] |
Special Characters
German also includes these unique letters:
- Ä, Ö, Ü (Umlauts): Variations of vowels with a modified sound.
- ß (Eszett or sharp S): Used in place of “ss” in some words (e.g., „Fuß“ for “foot”).
Pronunciation Rules
Vowels (A, E, I, O, U)
German vowels can be either short or long:
| Vowel | Short Sound Example | Long Sound Example |
| A | “kann” (can) [ah] | “Name” (name) [aa] |
| E | “bäcken” (to bake) [eh] | “Tee” (tea) [ay] |
| I | “bin” (am) [ih] | “Igel” (hedgehog) [ee] |
| O | “oft” (often) [oh] | “Boot” (boat) [ohh] |
| U | “und” (and) [uh] | “Schule” (school) [oo] |
Tip: Listen carefully to vowel length. Mispronouncing a vowel can change the meaning of a word!
Umlauts (ä, ö, ü)
These are distinct sounds not found in English:
- Ä: Sounds like “eh” in “bed.” Example: „Mädchen“ (girl).
- Ö: Similar to “ur” in “turn,” but without the “r.” Example: „Hören“ (to hear).
- Ü: Like “u” in “cute,” but tighter lips. Example: „Tür“ (door).
Practice Exercise:
Repeat these words aloud:
- Männer („men“)
- Können („to be able to“)
- Für („for“)
Consonants
Some German consonants differ from English:
| Letter | Pronunciation Example |
| S | [z] in “sehen” (see) |
| V | [f] in “Vater” (father) |
| W | [v] in “Wasser” (water) |
| Z | [ts] in “Zeit” (time) |
| R | [r] as a guttural sound |
Common Combinations:
- ch: Soft sound, like “ich” or “ach.”
- sch: Like “sh” in “shoe” (e.g., “Schule”).
- sp/st: Pronounced as “shp” or “sht” (e.g., “Sport”).
Diphthongs (ei, ie, eu, au)
German diphthongs combine two vowels into one sound:
| Combination | Sound | Example |
| ei | [eye] | “mein” (my) |
| ie | [ee] | “sieben” (seven) |
| eu | [oy] | “heute” (today) |
| au | [ow] | “Auto” (car) |
Common Challenges for English Speakers
- The “r” Sound: Practice making it softer and guttural.
- Umlauts: Focus on lip positioning to master these sounds.
- Word Stress: In German, the first syllable is usually stressed. Example: “SOMmer” (summer).
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Alphabet Practice
Spell your name using the German alphabet. Example: “Anna” would be [ah-enn-enn-ah].
Exercise 2: Match the Pronunciation
Match the following German words with their correct pronunciation:
- Haus ([a] or [ow])
- Mutter ([oo] or [uh])
- Zeit ([eye] or [ee])
Exercise 3: Read Aloud
Read these sentences aloud to practice sounds:
- Der Hund ist groß. (The dog is big.)
- Ich heiße Maria. (My name is Maria.)
- Wo ist die Schule? (Where is the school?)
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
- The German alphabet and special characters.
- Pronunciation rules for vowels, consonants, and diphthongs.
- Tips for overcoming common challenges.
Homework
- Practice spelling five common German words using the alphabet.
- Record yourself reading a short paragraph in German and listen for vowel and consonant sounds.