The idea
Read German z as /ts/ in the words below. This is an articulation and spelling comparison, not a substitute for hearing and imitating a reliable recording.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
German z usually represents the affricate /ts/, close to the sound written c in Polish. Polish z normally represents a different sound, so identical letters do not guarantee identical pronunciation.
Individual experience, dialect and other languages you know can change which comparisons help. Use the contrast to notice a German choice; do not treat it as a label for a whole group of people.
Repair the transfer
Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /z/.Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /ts/.Read German z as /ts/ in the words below. This is an articulation and spelling comparison, not a substitute for hearing and imitating a reliable recording.
Examples
- Die Zeit für die zweite Runde ist fast vorbei.The time for the second round is almost over.
- Zwei Gäste warten neben der Garderobe.Two guests wait beside the cloakroom.
- Der Zug zum See fährt in zehn Minuten.The train to the lake leaves in ten minutes.
- Die Zitrone liegt zwischen den grünen Äpfeln.The lemon is between the green apples.
- Ich zeichne einen Kreis um die richtige Zahl.I draw a circle around the correct number.
- Das Zimmer zum Hof ist heute noch frei.The room facing the courtyard is still available today.
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
Do not generalize a source-language pattern to every German sentence. Read German z as /ts/ in the words below. This is an articulation and spelling comparison, not a substitute for hearing and imitating a reliable recording.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /z/.
Show answer or example answer
Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /ts/.
Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /ts/. Read German z as /ts/ in the words below. This is an articulation and spelling comparison, not a substitute for hearing and imitating a reliable recording.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The time for the second round is almost over.
Show answer or example answer
Die Zeit für die zweite Runde ist fast vorbei.
Die Zeit für die zweite Runde ist fast vorbei. Read German z as /ts/ in the words below. This is an articulation and spelling comparison, not a substitute for hearing and imitating a reliable recording.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: I draw a circle around the correct number.
Show answer or example answer
Ich zeichne einen Kreis um die richtige Zahl.
Ich zeichne einen Kreis um die richtige Zahl. Keep the meaning of the whole sentence while using the German pattern.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Korrigiere: Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /z/.
Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /ts/.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The time for the second round is almost over.
Die Zeit für die zweite Runde ist fast vorbei.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: I draw a circle around the correct number.
Ich zeichne einen Kreis um die richtige Zahl.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write three German sentences of your own that follow the pattern of “Zeit beginnt mit dem Laut /ts/.”. Check each one for the Polish habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.