German Sounds

Say "ee" — then round your lips. That is ü.

Examples: über (over), fünf (five), grün (green)

Say "er" — then round your lips. That is ö.

Examples: schön (beautiful), zwölf (twelve), hören (to hear)

Sounds like English "air" or "eh". Open and clear.

Examples: Mädchen (girl), spät (late), häufig (often)

After i / e: a soft hissing sound, like a whispered "sh".

Examples: ich (I), nicht (not), möchte (would like)

After a / o / u: a hard rasping sound, like clearing your throat.

Examples: Bach (brook), doch (though), Buch (book)

German "r" vibrates at the back of the throat. Not on the tongue.

Examples: Richtig (correct), rot (red), reisen (to travel)

German "w" sounds like English "v". Always.

Examples: Wasser (water), Wien (Vienna), was (what)

In most native German words, "v" is pronounced [f]. In some loanwords, it is pronounced [v], like German "w".

Examples: Vater (father), vier (four), von (from)

German "z" sounds like English "ts". Always.

Examples: zehn (ten), Zeit (time), zu (to)

German "j" is usually pronounced [j], like the "y" in English "yes". In some loanwords, it may be pronounced [ʒ] or [dʒ].

Examples: ja (yes), jung (young), Jahr (year)