MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · Standard German in Germany; stressed citation forms

German /eː/ vs /iː//eː/ / /iː/

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

Practice these sounds
/eː/

The eː category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As inSteg
/iː/

A close, long vowel

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

As instieg

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

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

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
Steg
/ʃteːk/footbridge
Beet
/beːt/garden bed
lesen
/ˈleːzən/to read
beten
/ˈbeːtən/to pray
Sehne
/ˈzeːnə/tendon
Mehl
/meːl/flour
stieg
/ʃtiːk/climbed, past tense
bieten
/ˈbiːtən/offer
Miete
/ˈmiːtə/rent
schief
/ʃiːf/crooked
liegen
/ˈliːɡən/to lie in a position
Biene
/ˈbiːnə/bee
Ziel
/tsiːl/target
Stiel
/ʃtiːl/stalk or handle

14 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 eː and iː in German words.

Explore all German contrasts
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