This key facts covers Key sounds to memorise within Vowels: ei vs ie, long vs short, final -e for GCSE German. Revise Vowels: ei vs ie, long vs short, final -e in Phonics: German Sounds and Spellings for GCSE German with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key sounds to memorise
- ei = 'eye' (say the second letter, i): mein, Zeit
- ie = 'ee' (say the second letter, e): vier, Liebe
- final -e = soft 'uh', always pronounced: Tasche, Katze
- au = 'ow', eu/äu = 'oy': Haus, heute
- long vowel: doubled or + h; short vowel: + double consonant
Practice questions for Vowels: ei vs ie, long vs short, final -e
How is 'ei' pronounced in the German word 'mein' (my)?
How is 'ie' pronounced in the German word 'die' (the/she)?
Quick recall flashcards
How is 'ei' pronounced in German?
Like English 'eye' / the letter 'I'. Trick: say the SECOND letter — ei sounds like 'i' as in 'I'. Examples: mein (mine), nein (nine), eins (eyenss), weiß (vice), das Eis (ice), die Arbeit (AR-bite), die Zeit (tsite).
How is 'ie' pronounced in German?
Like a long 'ee'. Trick: say the SECOND letter — ie sounds like 'e' as in 'bee'. Examples: die (dee), sie (zee), wie (vee), vier (feer), das Spiel (shpeel), die Liebe (LEE-buh), fliegen (FLEE-gen).