Language
German
Unit
Vokale
IPA
/ə/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for kurze vokale - /ə/.

Quick tip

Short vowels are pronounced quickly and are never held long.

Letters and IPA

Letters

e (unbetont)

/ə/

Practice words

  • bitte

  • Mitte

  • Name

  • Tage

  • heute

Minimal pairs

  • bitte / Biete
  • Mitte / Miete
  • Name / Namen
  • Tage / Tage
  • heute / Hütte

How to produce this sound

This is the 'schwa' sound, like the 'a' in 'sofa' or the 'e' in 'problem'. Relax your mouth and make a short, neutral sound.

Common mix-ups

  • bitte / Biete
  • Mitte / Miete
  • Name / Namen
  • Tage / Tage
  • heute / Hütte

Closest comparison

sofa, banana, problem, support, ago

Keep exploring

Previous Kurze Vokale - /œ/ Vokale Next Lange Vokale - /iː/ Vokale