German · Difficult words

How to pronounce sauber in German

sauber

Clean

ZOWBUH/ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/

Standard German · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.

sauber is pronounced /ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/ in German. In sauber: Let the ending relax into a short central vowel. The IPA /ɐ/ represents a vowel, rather than a strongly pronounced consonant r. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

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Find the sounds in sauber

The reference transcription for sauber is /ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/. Read adjacent consonants together without inserting extra vowels. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.

  1. 1.The reduced r vowel /ɐ/

    In sauber: Let the ending relax into a short central vowel. The IPA /ɐ/ represents a vowel, rather than a strongly pronounced consonant r.

    Watch out: Avoid adding a full English “er” with a curled tongue.

  2. 2.Back rounded vowels

    In sauber: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA.

    Watch out: Avoid inserting a y sound before the vowel unless the IPA includes /j/.

  3. 3.An open vowel

    In sauber: Open the jaw for the a-like vowel shown in the IPA. Keep it continuous and follow the recording’s tongue position.

    Watch out: Do not substitute the English diphthong in “day”.

Hear it in context

Endlich ist das Bad sauber.

Finally the bathroom is clean.

Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.

Pronunciation and variety

sauber is presented using Standard German. Regional accents and connected speech can change details. The isolated word and the example let you compare the dictionary form with a short spoken context.

The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.

Meaning and everyday use

Questions about sauber

How do you pronounce sauber?

sauber is pronounced /ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/ in German. In sauber: Let the ending relax into a short central vowel. The IPA /ɐ/ represents a vowel, rather than a strongly pronounced consonant r. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

What should I listen for first?

In sauber: Let the ending relax into a short central vowel. The IPA /ɐ/ represents a vowel, rather than a strongly pronounced consonant r. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

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