The idea
“Wird … geschrieben” is the present passive: it says how a name is written in general. German letter names differ from English: e sounds like “ay”, i like “ee”, j like “yot”, v like “fow”, w like “vay”, z like “tset”. “Doppel-n” or “zwei n” describe double letters. Eintragen means to enter into a form or system; “Ich habe … eingetragen” is the perfect.
Other ways to say it
“Ich buchstabiere: B wie Berta, E wie Emil, N wie Nordpol …” – Uses traditional spelling words that many Germans still know.
“Mein Name schreibt sich mit zwei n und einem t am Ende.” – Neutral; sich schreiben is a common way to describe spelling.
Examples
- Mein Nachname wird mit Doppel-n geschrieben.My surname is written with a double n.
- Könnten Sie ihn vollständig buchstabieren?Could you spell it in full?
- B, e, n, n, e, t.B, e, n, n, e, t.
- Ich habe jetzt Bennet eingetragen.I have now entered Bennet.
- Können Sie mir die Schreibweise kurz zeigen?Can you show me the spelling briefly?
- Ja, kontrollieren Sie bitte diese Zeile.Yes, please check this line.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
“Mein Nachname schreibt man mit Doppel-n.” → “Meinen Nachnamen schreibt man mit Doppel-n.”: With man as subject, the name is the accusative object, so it becomes meinen Nachnamen. Alternatively keep the name as subject in the passive: wird … geschrieben.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: My surname is written with a double n.
Show answer or example answer
Mein Nachname wird mit Doppel-n geschrieben.
Present passive “wird … geschrieben” describes the correct spelling; “mit Doppel-n” names the special feature.
Put the words in order: B / e / e / n / n / t
Show answer or example answer
B, e, n, n, e, t.
Each letter is spoken separately with its German name; pausing after each comma helps the listener.
Write this sentence in German: Yes, please check this line.
Show answer or example answer
Ja, kontrollieren Sie bitte diese Zeile.
“Kontrollieren Sie” is a polite imperative; “diese Zeile” is the accusative object, pointing to one line on screen or paper.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: My surname is written with a double n.
Mein Nachname wird mit Doppel-n geschrieben.
Put the words in order: B / e / e / n / n / t
B, e, n, n, e, t.
Write this sentence in German: Yes, please check this line.
Ja, kontrollieren Sie bitte diese Zeile.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Spell your first name and surname aloud using German letter names, and add a spelling word for any letter people usually get wrong.