Learn How to Pronounce umlaut
Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!
Find your word:
Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!
How to pronounce:
umlaut
Definition:
(nou) a diacritical mark (two dots) placed over a vowel in German to indicate a change in sound
Examples:
An umlaut is incorrect, that's the point.
In German there is no umlaut on the a of Handel.
An example of this is the heavy metal umlaut.
Learn more about:umlaut
Related Words:
How to perfect your pronunciation of: umlaut
Learn Individual Sounds
Break umlaut down into individual sounds such as . Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.
Copy Others
Use the tools above to find out how different people say umlaut in their accents, then try to repeat after them.
Pick an Accent
Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.
Record Yourself
Say umlaut in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with umlaut.
Get a Native Tutor
Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.
Common mistakes of umlaut pronunciation
- Incorrect vowel sound: Many learners mispronounce "umlaut" by using a short "u" sound, making it sound like "um-lat." Correctly, it should be pronounced with a longer "u" sound as /ˈʊm.laʊt/ in US and /ˈʌm.laʊt/ in UK. Tip: Practice elongating the "u" to avoid this mistake.
- Stress placement error: Some people place stress on the second syllable, saying "um-LAUT." However, the primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈʊm.laʊt/ in US and /ˈʌm.laʊt/ in UK. Tip: Emphasize "um" to ensure correct stress.
- Mispronouncing the "au" diphthong: A common mistake is pronouncing "au" as a single vowel sound, leading to "um-lat." The correct pronunciation includes the diphthong /aʊ/, as in "how." Tip: Focus on blending the sounds smoothly for clarity.
- Overemphasizing the "t" at the end: Some learners may pronounce "umlaut" with a strong emphasis on the final "t," saying "umlaut-t." In reality, the "t" should be soft and less prominent, as in /ˈʊm.laʊt/ and /ˈʌm.laʊt/. Tip: Keep the "t" light to sound more natural.
- Confusing with similar words: Learners sometimes confuse "umlaut" with "um lat," which changes the meaning. The correct pronunciation is /ˈʊm.laʊt/ in US and /ˈʌm.laʊt/ in UK. Tip: Familiarize yourself with the context to avoid mix-ups.