Use the contrasts below to connect spelling, mouth movement and meaning. Start slowly, compare complete words and then use the target sound in a short sentence.
The idea
Both eu and äu represent [ɔʏ̯] in the examples. Hearing alone does not determine the spelling: a related word with au often explains äu, as in Haus and Häuser.
| Wort / Ausdruck | Aussprachehinweis |
|---|---|
| heute, Leute | eu → [ɔʏ̯] |
| Häuser, Bäume | äu → ebenfalls [ɔʏ̯] |
| Haus – Häuser | Die Wortfamilie erklärt hier die Schreibung äu. |
| Baum – Bäume | au im Grundwort, äu im Plural. |
Examples
- Heute kommen neun Leute.
- Die Bäume stehen vor den Häusern.
- Ich freue mich auf euch.
- Eine Maus läuft ins Haus.
- Zwei Mäuse laufen aus den Häusern.
- Das neue Heu liegt in der Scheune.
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
Written letters and spoken sounds are not interchangeable. Optional synthetic speech may not render isolated IPA, emphasis or contrasts accurately. Compare a reliable spoken model and keep the surrounding word in view.
Try it yourself
Klingen eu in „heute“ und äu in „Häuser“ unterschiedlich?
Show answer or example answer
Nein, beide haben hier den Laut [ɔʏ̯].
The spelling differs, but the diphthong is the same in both words.
Ergänze den Plural von Haus.
Show answer or example answer
Häuser.
The plural changes au to äu: Haus becomes Häuser.
Warum schreibt man „Bäume“ mit äu?
Show answer or example answer
Das verwandte Grundwort Baum hat au.
Baum provides the related au spelling that explains Bäume.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Klingen eu in „heute“ und äu in „Häuser“ unterschiedlich?
Nein, beide haben hier den Laut [ɔʏ̯].
Ergänze den Plural von Haus.
Warum schreibt man „Bäume“ mit äu?
Das verwandte Grundwort Baum hat au.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Compare Haus with Häuser and Baum with Bäume. Say each pair, then spell the plural from memory. Compare äu with eu in heute: the spelling differs even though the diphthong is the same.