004.1 - Vowel Pronunciation

Question 1

Pronounce the short “a”.

Answer 1

‘ah’ (short “a” is only a burst of sound without elongation) — example: das Wasser

Question 2

Pronounce the long “a”.

Answer 2

‘aaaah’ (same sound as short a, but it is elongated) — example: sagen

Question 3

What is the consonant rule for vowels that determine if the vowel is short or long?

Answer 3

1 consonant after the vowel = long vowel sound; 2+ consonants after the vowel = short vowel sound.

Question 4

When “a” is used at the end of a word and is NOT the stressed syllable, is the vowel long or short?

Answer 4

Long “a” — example: das Sofa

Question 5

If you add an “h” behind the letter “a”, this forces the vowel to sound short or long?

Answer 5

Long “a” — example: der Zahn

Question 6

If a word is spelled with double a’s, is the “a” sound long or short?

Answer 6

Long “a” — example: die Waage

Question 7

What is a Diphthong?

Answer 7

Two vowels pronounced as one — ai, au, äu, eu, ei, ie.

Question 8

Pronounce “ai”

Answer 8

‘eye’ — example: der Mai

Question 9

Pronounce “au”

Answer 9

‘ow’ — example: aus

Question 10

Pronounce eu / äu

Answer 10

‘oy’— example: die Mäuse / neu

Question 11

Pronounce “ä”

Answer 11

‘ay’— example: spät

Question 12

Pronounce the long “e”

Answer 12

‘ay’- example: beten

Question 13

If a word is spelled with double e’s, does it make a short or long “e” sound?

Answer 13

Long “e” - example: das Meer

Question 14

If you add an “h” behind the “e” in a word, does this force the vowel to be short or long?

Answer 14

Long “e” — example: sehr

Question 15

Pronounce the short “e”

Answer 15

‘eh’ - example: Das Wetter

Question 16

When “e” is used at the end of a word and is NOT the stressed syllable, is the vowel long or short?

Answer 16

Short “e” - example: bitte

Question 17

Pronounce “ei”

Answer 17

‘eye’ - example: zwei

Question 18

Pronounce “ie”

Answer 18

‘eeh’— example: Sie

Question 19

Pronounce short “i”.

Answer 19

‘ih’ — Example: der Fisch

Question 20

Pronounce long “i”.

Answer 20

‘eeh’ - Example: der Igel

Question 21

Pronounce long “o”.

Answer 21

‘oh’ — Example: Die Rose (like English long “o” but keep it in the back of the throat and don’t “set up” for a “w” afterwards)

Question 22

If a word contains double o’s, does the two vowels make a long or short “o” sound? Or does it make an “ew” sound like English?

Answer 22

Long “o” — Example: das Boot

Question 23

If an h comes after “o”, does this make the “o” long or short?

Answer 23

Long “o” — Example: das Stroh

Question 24

Pronounce short “o”.

Answer 24

English short “o” — Example: der Gott

Question 25

Pronounce “ö”

Answer 25

‘i’ in girl — Example: schön

Question 26

Pronounce long “u”.

Answer 26

‘ooh’ — Example: das Buch

Question 27

If a word has an h proceeding a u, does this make the “u” a long or short “u”?

Answer 27

Long “u” — Example: der Stuhl

Question 28

There are no words in the German language that forces a long “u” sound with double u’s (except for Vakuum). True or False?

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Pronounce short “u”.

Answer 29

‘uh’ — Example: der Wunsch

Question 30

Pronounce “ü”.

Answer 30

‘u’ in dude — Example: über

Question 31

A “y” is pronounced like an “___” when in the middle of a word.

Answer 31

Ü — Example: typisch (notice the “ü” sounds closer to a short “i” than a “u”)

Question 32

When a “Y” is at the beginning or end of a word, it sounds like an English “Y”. True or False?

Answer 32

True — Example: der Yak, die Party