MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · Standard German in Germany; stressed citation forms

German /aː/ vs /iː//aː/ / /iː/

Learn to hear the difference between aː and iː in German words.

Practice these sounds
/aː/

The aː category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As inZahl
/iː/

A close, long vowel

This German vowel differs in quality as well as length from /ɪ/.

As inZiel

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Learn to hear the difference between aː and iː in German words.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
Zahl
/tsaːl/number
Staat
/ʃtaːt/state
Rate
/ˈʁaːtə/installment
Mahl
/maːl/meal
Bahn
/baːn/railway
Ziel
/tsiːl/target
bieten
/ˈbiːtən/offer
Miete
/ˈmiːtə/rent
schief
/ʃiːf/crooked
liegen
/ˈliːɡən/to lie in a position
Biene
/ˈbiːnə/bee
stieg
/ʃtiːk/climbed, past tense
Stiel
/ʃtiːl/stalk or handle

13 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.

Now, let your ears decide.

Can you hear the difference? Listen to two examples, then decide which sound you hear in a new word. Get feedback after every answer.

Practice these sounds

Keep the sound. Change the word.

Learn to hear the difference between aː and iː in German words.

Explore all German contrasts
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