Bite 3: The German Alphabet and Pronunciation

German in 100 bites by Dr. Mitar Pitzek

Bite 3:
The German Alphabet and Pronunciation
(A1 Level)

Innes Blog - Bite 3: The German Alphabet and Pronunciation

“Why do Germans always pronounce ‘W’ as ‘V’?”

“Because they vant to!”

When learning a new language, pronunciation plays a crucial role. In German, mastering the alphabet and sounds can really boost your confidence. I remember when I first started learning German – I felt awkward trying to sound like a native. But let me tell you: getting the sounds right is the key, and today, I’ll explain how you can make it fun and easy!

Step 1: The German Alphabet

The German alphabet is mostly like the English one, with a few extra characters:

ä, ö, ü (umlauts)
ß (sharp S)

Here’s the full alphabet with the pronunciation:

Letter	Pronunciation	Example
A	“ah”	Apfel (apple)
B	“beh”	Ball (ball)
C	“tseh”	Café (café)
D	“deh”	Dorf (village)
E	“eh”	Elefant (elephant)
F	“eff”	Fisch (fish)
G	“geh”	Garten (garden)
H	“hah”	Haus (house)
I	“ee”	Insel (island)
J	“yott”	Jahr (year)
K	“kah”	Katze (cat)
L	“ell”	Lampe (lamp)
M	“emm”	Maus (mouse)
N	“enn”	Nase (nose)
O	“oh”	Ohr (ear)
P	“peh”	Pferd (horse)
Q	“kuh”	Quelle (source)
R	“err” (rolled)	Rose (rose)
S	“ess”	Sonne (sun)
T	“teh”	Tisch (table)
U	“oo”	Uhr (clock)
V	“fow”	Vogel (bird)
W	“veh”	Wasser (water)
X	“iks”	Xylophon (xylophone)
Y	“üppsilon”	Yacht (yacht)
Z	“tsett”	Zug (train)

To really hear how each letter is pronounced, I recommend visiting websites like forvo.com, where you can listen to native speakers pronounce words and letters.

Exercise 1:

Listen to each letter on Forvo or YouTube and try to imitate it. Repeat after each sound.

Step 2: The Umlauts (ä, ö, ü)

The umlauts are special characters that can change the meaning of a word. They may seem tricky at first, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of them.

Here’s how they sound:

ä – Similar to the “e” in “bed”
ö – Like the “i” in “bird”
ü – Similar to the French “u”

Exercise 2:

Practice words with umlauts, like Äpfel, Mörder (murderer), and Brücke (bridge). Try to mimic the native pronunciation as closely as possible.

Step 3: The Sharp S (ß)

The “ß” (Eszett) is pronounced like a double “s” and appears in words like:

Straße (street)
Spaß (fun)

Interestingly, when I was learning, I used to struggle with this sound. But once I got used to it, I realized how fun it was to say “Spaß” with emphasis!

Pronunciation and Personal Style

Now, here’s a personal thought: when you’re learning a language, it’s important to imitate the native pronunciation as closely as you can. But over time, as you master the language, it’s a personal decision how far you want to go with perfect pronunciation.
I’ve met many English speakers who speak perfect German with an American or British accent, and it becomes part of their identity. Others decide to try mastering a specific accent, like Viennese (Wienerisch) German. For me, it’s all about how comfortable you feel. Do you want to make “perfect German” part of your brand? Or do you embrace your roots and keep a subtle accent?

Useful Tipps by Dr. Pitzek

If you’re looking for German bands where the pronunciation is clear and easy to follow, here are a few recommendations:

Wir sind Helden – Known for their catchy pop-rock tunes and clear lyrics, their pronunciation is easy to understand.
Die Fantastischen Vier – A German hip-hop group that articulates well, making their lyrics great for learners.
Sportfreunde Stiller – A rock band with very understandable German pronunciation.

Die Prinzen is another great option! They are a well-known German pop band famous for their humorous and clear lyrics. Songs like “Alles nur geklaut” and “Millionär” have catchy melodies, and their pronunciation is very easy to understand, making them a fun and useful choice for German learners who want to improve their listening skills while enjoying the music.

These bands offer a mix of musical genres, but all with clear articulation that is helpful for learners.

Practice Makes Perfect

At the INNES Institute Vienna, we focus on pronunciation as part of your overall language learning experience. Whether you want to speak like a native or maintain a unique flair, our courses provide the perfect setting for you to practice, learn, and find your own voice in German!