German vowels: long and short 'e'
The short German 'e' vowel
The short German 'e' sound is articulated in much the same manner as the 'e' vowel in the English words 'get' and 'set'. It represents the same sound therefore as the short German 'ä'. Click either here or on the sound icon on the left to hear six German words containing this short 'e' vowel:
Sounds 1: The short German 'e' vowel |
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wenn
(if, when) |
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fett
(fat) |
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Dreck
(dirt) |
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echt
(genuine) |
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Fell
(fur) |
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Nest
(nest) |
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The long German /e:/ vowel
The long German /e:/ vowel - which can be written 'e', 'eh' or 'ee' - has no corresponding long vowel in English. To pronounce it, you must ensure that your tongue remains tense and in the same high position in your mouth throughout articulation - the sound must not glide off into an 'i' at the end as it can do in English words such as 'day'. Click either here or on the sound icon on the left to hear six German words containing this long 'e' vowel:
Sounds 2: The long German 'e' vowel |
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sehr
(very) |
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mehr
(more) |
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Meer
(sea) |
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Teer
(tar) |
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Beet
(bed) |
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Gel
(gel) |
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Distinguishing between long and short German 'e' vowels
To practise distinguishing between the long and short German 'e' vowels, click either here or on the sound icon on the left to hear three pairs of German words. The first word in each pair contains a long 'e' vowel, whereas the second contains a short 'e' vowel.
Sounds 3: Distinguishing between long and short German 'e' vowels |
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Heer
(army) |
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Herr
(gentleman) |
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Hehl
(secret) |
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hell
(bright) |
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Beet
(flower-bed) |
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Bett
(bed) |
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Unstressed German '-e' and '-er'
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