German pronunciation: bieten and bitten

The idea

Focus on the stressed vowel: bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i. Listen to each full example, then repeat the target word and return to the sentence. Long and short vowel categories can differ in quality as well as duration, so simply holding an otherwise identical sound longer is not a complete technique. Use the linked dictionary pronunciation guidance to interpret a model.

Patterns to compare

Wort	Bedeutung
bieten	anbieten
bitten	um etwas bitten

Avoid merging the target vowels

• „bieten“ und „bitten“ brauchen hier keinen hörbaren Vokalunterschied. → bieten hat ein langes geschlossenes i; bitten hat ein kurzes offeneres i.

  The contrast carries meaning: bieten is offer; bitten is ask or request. Compare both duration and vowel quality with a dictionary model. This task does not assign an automated pronunciation score.

Examples

• Wir bieten heute einen zusätzlichen Kursplatz.We offer an additional course place today.bieten means offer here. Compare the stressed vowel with the neighbouring example; bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i.
• Die Kinder bitten um ein zweites Spiel.The children ask for a second game.bitten means ask or request here. Compare the stressed vowel with the neighbouring example; bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i.
• Das neue Zimmer bietet Platz für vier Gäste.The new room offers space for four guests.bieten means offer here. Compare the stressed vowel with the neighbouring example; bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i.
• Ich bitte dich um eine genaue Wegbeschreibung.I ask you for precise directions.bitten means ask or request here. Compare the stressed vowel with the neighbouring example; bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i.
• Welche Möglichkeiten bietet das kleine Haus?What possibilities does the small house offer?bieten means offer here. Compare the stressed vowel with the neighbouring example; bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i.
• Darf ich Sie um einen Stift bitten?May I ask you for a pen?bitten means ask or request here. Compare the stressed vowel with the neighbouring example; bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i.

Watch out

Do not replace a vowel contrast with extra loudness or an invented extra syllable. Keep the surrounding consonants recognizable. Device read-aloud depends on the German voice installed in your browser and may not demonstrate every fine distinction equally clearly; it is synthetic playback, not a human recording or pronunciation assessment.

Try it yourself

1. Welches Wort bezeichnet „anbieten“: bieten oder bitten? Sprich danach den ersten Beispielsatz.

   Show answer or example answer

   bieten. Wir bieten heute einen zusätzlichen Kursplatz.

   bieten means offer; the first example supplies a complete context.

2. Erkläre den Lautunterschied zwischen „bieten“ und „bitten“. Verändere nicht nur die Lautstärke.

   Show answer or example answer

   bieten hat ein langes geschlossenes i; bitten hat ein kurzes offeneres i.

   bieten has long, close ie; bitten has a short, more open i. The answer needs a sound distinction, not only a spelling description.

3. Sprich je einen eigenen Satz mit „bieten“ und „bitten“. Eine andere Person soll ohne sichtbaren Text erkennen, welches Wort du meinst.

   Show answer or example answer

   Mögliche Satzmuster: Das neue Zimmer bietet Platz für vier Gäste. Ich bitte dich um eine genaue Wegbeschreibung. Prüfe, ob die Wörter unterschiedlich und verständlich gesprochen sind.

   Many sentences are possible. Success here means the intended word is identifiable in context; this page does not automatically score your recording or certify an accent.

Use it today

Make a short recording in your own recording app if you want to compare attempts. Say one original sentence using bieten and one using bitten, then ask a listener which meaning they heard without showing the words. If the words are confused, return to the stressed vowel rather than speeding up the whole sentence.