Vowel Length & Consonants

Short vowels occur in syllables with a single consonant or when followed by two consonants; they are pronounced quickly and sharply.

Long vowels appear when a vowel is doubled, followed by h, or in an open syllable; they are held longer and sound clearer.

Diphthongs are vowel combinations like ei, au, and eu that glide from one sound to another within the same syllable.

Consonant doubling signals that the preceding vowel is short; it often appears in derivatives and helps guide pronunciation.

Final consonants are pronounced strongly in German; some sounds that soften in English remain hard, affecting word recognition.

Linking sounds occur when consonants connect between words in speech, making sentences flow naturally in German.

German distinguishes meaning through vowel length and consonant sounds, so notice spelling cues like doubling and h to guide your pronunciation.