How to Pronounce Difficult English Words (for German Speakers) 🗣️
English can be confusing — especially when the words don’t sound like they look. Many German learners of English struggle with words that have silent letters, strange vowel sounds, or different stress.
Here are 10 common English words that are hard to pronounce for German speakers — with simple tips to help you say them right!
1. Yacht ⛵
Spelling: yacht
Pronunciation: yot (rhymes with “hot”)
Tip: The “ch” is not like in Buch or Nacht — it's silent.
Example: They sailed across the sea in a luxury yacht.
2. Choir 🎶
Spelling: choir
Pronunciation: kwire (rhymes with “fire”)
Tip: Looks like “ch-oh-ir”, but sounds very different!
Example: She sings in a church choir.
3. Colonel 🎖️
Spelling: colonel
Pronunciation: ker-nel (like “popcorn kernel”)
Tip: This word looks French — and sounds nothing like it’s spelled.
Example: He was promoted to colonel in the army.
4. Receipt 🧾
Spelling: receipt
Pronunciation: ri-seet
Tip: The “p” is silent.
Example: I lost the receipt for the jacket.
5. Comfortable 🛋️
Spelling: comfortable
Pronunciation: kumf-tuh-bul (3 syllables, not 4!)
Tip: Native speakers say it fast — not “com-for-ta-ble”.
Example: This chair is really comfortable.
6. Though / Thought / Through / Thorough 😵
These look similar but sound very different!
- Though → thoh (like “go”)
- Thought → thawt (like “court”)
- Through → throo (like “you”)
- Thorough → thur-oh
Tip: German speakers often mix these up — practice them slowly.
Example: Though I was tired, I thought it through and was thorough.
7. Island 🏝️
Spelling: island
Pronunciation: eye-land
Tip: The “s” is silent.
Example: They went to a beautiful island for vacation.
8. Debt 💸
Spelling: debt
Pronunciation: det
Tip: Silent “b” – just like “doubt” (dout).
Example: She has a lot of student debt.
9. Schedule 📅
Spelling: schedule
Pronunciation (UK): shed-yool / (US): sked-jool
Tip: Both are correct — just choose one and stick with it!
Example: Let’s check the meeting schedule.
10. Vehicle 🚗
Spelling: vehicle
Pronunciation: vee-i-kul (3 syllables)
Tip: Not “veh-kel” like in German — stretch out the “ee” sound.
Example: They rented a large vehicle for the road trip.
