Linking & Assimilation
Linking and assimilation describe how sounds connect and change at word boundaries when speaking German naturally. This guide shows key processes with short examples.
Linking
Linking happens when a sound at the end of one word connects smoothly to the start of the next, making speech flow better. In German, linking often occurs with consonants and vowels at word boundaries.
Assimilation
Assimilation occurs when a sound changes to become more like a neighboring sound, easing pronunciation. This can affect consonants at word borders within phrases or between words.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ☕ Ich trinke ☕ einen Kaffee. | I am drinking a coffee. | Linking article to verb |
| 🍞 Du isst 🍞 das Brot. | You are eating the bread. | Linking article to verb |
| 🚶♂️ Er geht 🚶♂️ in den Park. | He is going to the park. | Linking preposition and article |
| 🐶 Sie sieht 🐶 einen Hund. | She sees a dog. | Linking pronoun and verb |
| 🍎 Wir haben 🍎 die Äpfel. | We have the apples. | Linking verb and direct object |
Linking with Articles
When an article ends in a consonant and the next word begins with a vowel, speakers often insert a slight sound to link them, making the phrase flow smoothly. This helps listeners parse the phrase quickly.
Assimilation in Prefect
In spoken German, the past participle marker ge- sometimes blends with a preceding prefix or function word, causing sounds to merge or disappear for faster speech. This assimilation is common in fast or casual narratives.
Summary
Linking joins sounds across word boundaries to keep speech fluid, while assimilation changes sounds to simplify pronunciation. Noticing these patterns helps learners understand and sound more natural in German.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025