MinimalPairs
Lessons

Minimal pair · Standard German in Germany; stressed citation forms

German /yː/ vs /ʏ//yː/ / /ʏ/

Learn to hear the difference between yː and ʏ in German words.

Practice these sounds
/yː/

The yː category

Listen for the target sound in each word.

As infühlen
/ʏ/

A front, rounded vowel

The vowel in this German set is farther forward than /ʊ/. It does not add another syllable.

As infüllen

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

Learn to hear the difference between yː and ʏ in German words.

Listen for the target sound in each word.

Sound examples

Tap to hear each word
fühlen
/ˈfyːlən/to feel
Hüte
/ˈhyːtə/hats
lügen
/ˈlyːɡən/to tell lies
spülen
/ˈʃpyːlən/to rinse
Bühne
/ˈbyːnə/stage
Süd
/zyːt/south
füllen
/ˈfʏlən/to fill
Hütte
/ˈhʏtə/hut
müsste
/ˈmʏstə/would have to
würde
/ˈvʏʁdə/would
Mütter
/ˈmʏtɐ/mothers

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 yː and ʏ in German words.

Explore all German contrasts
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