A1 · 1.3 · die Konsonanten
German consonants that surprise you
Most consonants sound like English, but w, v, z, j, s, ch, sch and r do not.
The surprising ones
| Letter | Sounds like | Example |
|---|---|---|
| w | English v | der Wecker VECK-eralarm clock |
| v | usually f | der Vater FAH-terfather |
| z | ts | das Zimmer TSIM-erroom |
| j | English y | das Jahr YARyear |
| s + vowel | English z | Sie ZEEyou (formal) |
| sch | English sh | die Schule SHOO-luhschool |
| sp / st at the start | shp / sht | spät SHPAIT · die Stadt SHTUTTlate · town |
Two kinds of ch
after a, o, u, au: throat sound
Like Scottish “loch”.
acht AKHTeight
das Buch BOOKHbook
auch OWKHalso
everywhere else: soft hiss
Like a whispered “h” in “huge”. It is softer than sh: keep your tongue flat and just hiss.
ich ISHI
die Milch MILSHmilk
das Mädchen MAID-shengirl
The German r
- At the start of a word: a soft gargle at the back of the throat: Rechnung (bill).
- At the end (-er): almost an “uh”: Lehrer (teacher) = LAIR-uh.
Good to know 1
1Final b, d, g sound like p, t, k: der Tag (day) = TAHK, das Kind (child) = KINT.
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