German pronunciation is rule-based. Once you learn the core sounds (vowels, umlauts like ä, ö, ü, and tricky consonant combinations like 'ch' and 'sch'), you can pronounce almost any word correctly, even ones you've never seen before. Use this guide with audio examples to build a clear, confident accent.
Like "hut" in English
Like "father" in English
Like "bet" in English
Like "say" in English
Like "bit" in English
Like "see" in English
Like "hot" in English
Like "go" in English
Like "foot" in English
Like "food" in English
Like "men"
Like "say"
Like "fur" but round lips
Like rounded "ee"
Like "ow" in "cow"
Other examples:
Baum auch FrauLike "eye"
Other examples:
mein klein ArbeitLike "oy"
Alternative example with same sound
Other examples:
neu Deutsch Häuserlike hissing "hue"
Used after front vowelsOther examples:
mich Milch nicht"loch" in Scottish
Used after back vowelsOther examples:
Buch machen NachtAlways like "sh" in English
Other examples:
Schule Fisch TischPronounced as "ts" like in "bits"
Other examples:
Zug Zimmer KatzePronounced as "sht" and "shp" at start of words
Other examples:
Sport Stadt spielenAt the beginning of words before vowels
Other examples:
sehen Saft soUsed at the end of words
Other examples:
was bis Glasbreakfast
kitchen
key
street
bye
Master these words to impress native German speakers!
squirrel
small matchbox
excuse me/sorry
Tongue twisters are a fun way to improve your pronunciation. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed.
Fisher's Fritz fishes fresh fish
Red cabbage stays red cabbage
Between two plum branches sit two twittering swallows
Put your pronunciation into practice with real conversations
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