004.1 - Vowel Pronunciation Flashcards
Pronounce the short “a”.
‘ah’ (short “a” is only a burst of sound without elongation) — example: das Wasser
Pronounce the long “a”.
‘aaaah’ (same sound as short a, but it is elongated) — example: sagen
What is the consonant rule for vowels that determine if the vowel is short or long?
1 consonant after the vowel = long vowel sound; 2+ consonants after the vowel = short vowel sound.
When “a” is used at the end of a word and is NOT the stressed syllable, is the vowel long or short?
Long “a” — example: das Sofa
If you add an “h” behind the letter “a”, this forces the vowel to sound short or long?
Long “a” — example: der Zahn
If a word is spelled with double a’s, is the “a” sound long or short?
Long “a” — example: die Waage
What is a Diphthong?
Two vowels pronounced as one — ai, au, äu, eu, ei, ie.
Pronounce “ai”
‘eye’ — example: der Mai
Pronounce “au”
‘ow’ — example: aus
Pronounce eu / äu
‘oy’— example: die Mäuse / neu
Pronounce “ä”
‘ay’— example: spät
Pronounce the long “e”
‘ay’- example: beten
If a word is spelled with double e’s, does it make a short or long “e” sound?
Long “e” - example: das Meer
If you add an “h” behind the “e” in a word, does this force the vowel to be short or long?
Long “e” — example: sehr
Pronounce the short “e”
‘eh’ - example: Das Wetter
When “e” is used at the end of a word and is NOT the stressed syllable, is the vowel long or short?
Short “e” - example: bitte
Pronounce “ei”
‘eye’ - example: zwei
Pronounce “ie”
‘eeh’— example: Sie
Pronounce short “i”.
‘ih’ — Example: der Fisch
Pronounce long “i”.
‘eeh’ - Example: der Igel
Pronounce long “o”.
‘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)
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?
Long “o” — Example: das Boot
If an h comes after “o”, does this make the “o” long or short?
Long “o” — Example: das Stroh
Pronounce short “o”.
English short “o” — Example: der Gott
Pronounce “ö”
‘i’ in girl — Example: schön
Pronounce long “u”.
‘ooh’ — Example: das Buch
If a word has an h proceeding a u, does this make the “u” a long or short “u”?
Long “u” — Example: der Stuhl
There are no words in the German language that forces a long “u” sound with double u’s (except for Vakuum). True or False?
True
Pronounce short “u”.
‘uh’ — Example: der Wunsch
Pronounce “ü”.
‘u’ in dude — Example: über
A “y” is pronounced like an “___” when in the middle of a word.
Ü — Example: typisch (notice the “ü” sounds closer to a short “i” than a “u”)
When a “Y” is at the beginning or end of a word, it sounds like an English “Y”. True or False?
True — Example: der Yak, die Party
