MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · Standard German in Germany; stressed citation forms

German /øː/ vs /œ//øː/ / /œ/

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

Practice these sounds
/øː/

A long, front rounded vowel

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

As inHöhle
/œ/

An open-mid, rounded vowel

A front vowel with rounded lips. Listen to its quality immediately before the final French r.

As inHölle

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

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

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
Höhle
/ˈhøːlə/cave
schön
/ʃøːn/beautiful
Röhre
/ˈʁøːʁə/tube
Röte
/ˈʁøːtə/redness
lösen
/ˈløːzən/to solve or release
Söhne
/ˈzøːnə/sons
Hölle
/ˈhœlə/hell
können
/ˈkœnən/can or be able to
Löffel
/ˈlœfəl/spoon
völlig
/ˈfœlɪç/completely
Körper
/ˈkœʁpɐ/body

11 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 øː and œ in German words.

Explore all German contrasts
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