Learn German German Pronunciation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How is the German letter 'ü' pronounced?
- Like English 'u' in 'cup'
- Like English 'ee' but with rounded lips (Correct answer)
- Like English 'oo' in 'food'
- Like English 'i' in 'sit'
Correct answer: Like English 'ee' but with rounded lips
'Ü' is pronounced like 'ee' but with your lips rounded into an 'oo' shape, a sound not found in English.
Question 2: Which of the following correctly describes how 'ch' is pronounced after front vowels (e, i, ä, ö, ü) in German?
- Like English 'k'
- Like English 'sh'
- Like a soft hissing sound made at the front of the mouth (Correct answer)
- Like English 'ch' in 'church'
Correct answer: Like a soft hissing sound made at the front of the mouth
After front vowels, 'ch' is pronounced as the ich-Laut, a soft palatal fricative made near the front of the mouth.
Question 3: How is the German 'w' pronounced?
- Like English 'w' in 'water'
- Like English 'v' in 'very' (Correct answer)
- Like English 'f' in 'fire'
- Like English 'b' in 'baby'
Correct answer: Like English 'v' in 'very'
The German 'w' is pronounced like the English 'v', as in 'very', not like the English 'w'.
Question 4: What is the correct pronunciation of the German letter 'ß' (Eszett)?
- Like 'ss' (Correct answer)
- Like 'sz'
- Like 'b'
- Like 'ts'
Correct answer: Like 'ss'
The 'ß' (Eszett) represents a sharp 's' sound, pronounced exactly like a double 's' (ss).
Question 5: How is the ending '-ig' typically pronounced in standard German (e.g., 'richtig')?
- Like '-ik'
- Like '-ig' as in English
- Like '-ich' (Correct answer)
- Like '-ish'
Correct answer: Like '-ich'
In standard German, the ending '-ig' is pronounced like '-ich', the soft palatal fricative.
Question 6: Where does German word stress typically fall?
- Always on the last syllable
- Always on the first syllable
- Usually on the first or root syllable (Correct answer)
- Always on the second syllable
Correct answer: Usually on the first or root syllable
German words are generally stressed on the first or root syllable, with some exceptions for loanwords and prefixes.
Learn German German Pronunciation 1
How is the German letter 'ü' pronounced?