German vowels: long and short 'o'
The short German 'o' vowel
The short German 'o' sound - which can only be written 'o' - is similar to the 'o' vowel in the English words 'not' and 'lot'. The German sound is shorter and more close however and requires the lips to be much more rounded. Click either here or on the sound icon on the left to hear four German words containing this short 'o' vowel:
Sounds 1: The short German 'o' vowel |
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Sonne
(sun) |
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von
(from, of) |
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Gott
(god) |
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Dorf
(village) |
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The long German 'o' vowel
The long German 'o' vowel - which can be written 'o', 'oh', 'oo', and 'eau' - does not have an exact equivalent in English. It is a little like the vowel 'o' in the English words 'so' and 'go'. In German however, this sound must not be allowed to glide off into a 'u' sound, which English speakers ofen find themselves doing. Click either here or on the sound icon on the left to listen to six German words containing this long 'o' vowel. Note in particular the difference in vowel articulation that occurs in those German words below that have a similar form in English.
Sounds 2: The long German 'o' vowel |
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Rose
(rose) |
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froh
(happy) |
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Boot
(boat) |
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groß
(big) |
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so
(so) |
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rot
(red) |
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Distinguishing between long and short German 'o' vowels
To practise distinguishing between the long and short German 'o' vowels, click either here or on the sound icon on the left to hear four pairs of German words. The first word in each pair contains a long 'o' vowel, whereas the second contains a short 'o' vowel.
Sounds 3: Distinguishing between long & short German 'o' vowels |
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wo
(where) |
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Wonne
(bliss) |
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Rose
(rose) |
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Ross
(horse) |
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Wohl
(health) |
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Wolle
(wool) |
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Sohle
(sole of shoe) |
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Soll
(debt) |
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German long and short 'ö' vowels
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