MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · Standard German in Germany; stressed citation forms

German /eː/ vs /øː//eː/ / /øː/

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

Practice these sounds
/eː/

The eː category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As inlesen
/øː/

A long, front rounded vowel

The lips stay rounded while the tongue is farther forward than for /oː/.

As inlösen

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

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

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
lesen
/ˈleːzən/to read
Sehne
/ˈzeːnə/tendon
Beet
/beːt/garden bed
beten
/ˈbeːtən/to pray
Steg
/ʃteːk/footbridge
Mehl
/meːl/flour
lösen
/ˈløːzən/to solve or release
Söhne
/ˈzøːnə/sons
schön
/ʃøːn/beautiful
Röhre
/ˈʁøːʁə/tube
Röte
/ˈʁøːtə/redness
Höhle
/ˈhøːlə/cave

12 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 øː in German words.

Explore all German contrasts
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