German Vowels and Diphthongs

Front

A a (both short and long)

Back

Front

(long) E e

Back

Front

I i (short)

Back

Front

ie (long)

Back

Front

(long) O o

Back

Front

U u (both: long and short)

Back

Front

short O o

(same as in English)

Back

Front

Ä ä (a-Umlaut/ happy a)/ short e (same sound as ä)

Back

Front

Ö ö (O-Umlaut / happy O)

Back

Front

Ü ü (U-Umlaut/ happy U)

Back

make "whistle lips" (do not allow the corners of your mouth to move to the side when you say "ee" - Now try to say ee through the pursed lips--> this will produce the ü sound)