German · Difficult words
How to pronounce zwölf in German
zwölf
Twelve
Standard German · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
zwölf is pronounced /t͡svœlf/ in German. In zwölf: Round the lips while keeping the tongue forward. Hear the difference between the closer /y, ø/ and the more open /ʏ, œ/. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in zwölf
The reference transcription for zwölf is /t͡svœlf/. Read adjacent consonants together without inserting extra vowels. Listen for the vowel quality and timing in the full recording; this reference does not mark a separate main stress.
1.Rounded front vowels
In zwölf: Round the lips while keeping the tongue forward. Hear the difference between the closer /y, ø/ and the more open /ʏ, œ/.
Watch out: Replacing these with English “oo” or “oh” loses the front-vowel quality.
2.The joined /ts/ sound
In zwölf: Make a short t closure and release it straight into s, as at the end of English “cats”.
Watch out: Do not read German z as the voiced z in English “zoo”.
3.A clear /s/
In zwölf: Let air pass through a narrow groove near the front of the mouth. Keep the sound unvoiced.
Watch out: Do not add voicing and turn /s/ into /z/.
Hear it in context
Wir essen um zwölf in der Kantine.
We're eating at twelve in the canteen.
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
zwölf 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 zwölf
How do you pronounce zwölf?
zwölf is pronounced /t͡svœlf/ in German. In zwölf: Round the lips while keeping the tongue forward. Hear the difference between the closer /y, ø/ and the more open /ʏ, œ/. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In zwölf: Round the lips while keeping the tongue forward. Hear the difference between the closer /y, ø/ and the more open /ʏ, œ/. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
