How to pronounce German umlauts ä ö ü
Mastering German Pronunciation: A Beginner's Guide: How to pronounce German umlauts ä ö ü
The German umlauts ä, ö, and ü have distinct pronunciations that can be sometimes challenging for English speakers. Here’s a clear guide on how to pronounce each:
- Ä (ä): Pronounced like the English “e” in “bed” or like the “a” in “apple” or “ai” in “air.” It sounds like a longer “eh” without gliding into “ey.” For example, in the word Mädchen (girl). Sometimes it’s described as saying “air” without the “r” sound.
- Ö (ö): This sound does not exist in English but is similar to the “i” in “bird,” the “e” in “her,” or the French “eu” in “peur.” To pronounce it, shape your lips as if saying “o,” while producing an “e”-like sound. Example: schön (beautiful).
- Ü (ü): This sound doesn’t have a direct English equivalent but is close to the French “u” in “tu.” To pronounce it, say “ee” as in “see” but with your lips rounded or pursed as if whistling or saying “oo.” Example: küssen (to kiss).
In summary, the umlauts modify the base vowels by combining vowel sounds with specific lip shapes:
- Ä = “eh” (as in bed/air)
- Ö = “er” rounded lips (like her/bird)
- Ü = “ee” with rounded lips (like French u)
Each umlaut can be “short” or “long” in pronunciation, where the long version is simply held longer. Using words with umlauts and listening to native speakers can help master these sounds accurately.