How To Pronounce IG In German
September 12, 2022
In standard Northern German pronunciation, the letters IG at the end of a word make the soft sound made by the letters CH. This soft CH sound is heard in the word ich, meaning I.
A word ending in IG will make this same soft sound at the end, like this:
| German | English |
|---|---|
|
lustig |
funny |
|
fertig |
ready |
This soft CH sound does not exist in English. However, you can learn to make this sound with practice.
1. How do I make the soft CH sound?
Standard Northern German pronunciation uses the soft CH sound for IG at the end of words.
This soft sound is one of two pronunciations for the CH in German. The soft CH is more like a soft K. Open up your airway to let more sound out.
This soft CH sound is heard in the word ich, meaning I. In fact, this soft CH sound is often referred to as the ich sound.
You will hear the soft CH sound often, including in these important words:
| Example | In Context | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| German | English | German | English |
|
ich |
I |
Ich bin hier |
I am here |
|
mich |
me |
Siehst du mich? |
Do you see me? |
|
dich |
you |
Ich liebe dich |
I love you |
The soft CH sound does not exist in English. It contributes to the unique sound and feel of the German language.
Try these tips for producing the soft CH sound. Experiment with each until you find the one that works best for you:
- Make the sound of a hissing cat
- Make a giggling sound, and then try whispering it
- Think of the beginning sound in the English word “human” but exaggerate it
2. What are some example words ending in IG?
For example, several frequently used adjectives end in the letters IG.
Listen for the soft CH sound at the end of these adjectives:
| Example | In Context | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| German | English | German | English |
|
lustig |
funny |
Du bist lustig |
You are funny |
|
fertig |
finished |
Ich bin fertig |
I am finished |
|
traurig |
sad |
Er ist traurig |
He is sad |
|
salzig |
salty |
Das ist salzig |
That is salty |
|
wichtig |
important |
Das ist wichtig |
That is important |
There are also nouns ending in the letters IG. When you see a noun ending in IG, this generally indicates a masculine gender.
Listen for the soft CH sound at the end of these nouns:
| Example | In Context | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| German | English | German | English |
|
der König |
the king |
Wer war der König? |
Who was the king? |
|
der Honig |
the honey |
Wo ist der Honig? |
Where is the honey? |
|
der Essig |
the vinegar |
Wo ist der Essig? |
Where is the vinegar? |
To count the numbers by ten in German, you’ll also need to pronounce the IG at the end of words.
Listen for the soft CH sound at the end of these numbers:
| Example | In Context | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| German | English | German | English |
|
zwanzig |
twenty |
Sie ist zwanzig Jahre alt |
He is twenty years old |
|
dreißig |
thirty |
Es ist zwölf Uhr dreißig |
It is twelve thirty |
|
vierzig |
forty |
Sie ist vierzig Jahre alt |
She is forty years old |
|
fünfzig |
fifty |
Er ist fünfzig Jahre alt |
He is fifty years old |
|
sechzig |
sixty |
Sie ist sechzig Jahre alt |
She is sixty years old |
|
siebzig |
seventy |
Er ist siebzig Jahre alt |
He is seventy years old |
|
achtzig |
eighty |
Sie ist achtzig Jahre alt |
She is eighty years old |
|
neunzig |
ninety |
Er ist neunzig Jahre alt |
He is ninety years old |
As you can see, many important words contain an IG ending and so will finish with a soft CH sound.
3. Is there variation in how IG is pronounced at the end of words?
Yes! With the letters IG at the end of a word, you will encounter some variation in pronunciation.
For example, in Southern Germany, the final IG is often pronounced like a regular old G, wherein the G at the end of words is more like a K sound. The German Winnie-the-Pooh pronounces the word honey, or Honig, with a K sound at the end, as opposed to a soft CH sound.
So, know that there is some flexibility in how to pronounce IG at the end of words. You can experiment with both sounds (soft CH and regular G) because both are correct!
4. How can I improve my pronunciation of words ending in IG?
With practice, you can learn to make the soft CH sound for IG-ending words.
- Try to identify IG-ending words used in conversation around you. Note whether the speaker used a soft CH ending or a regular G ending. Try to repeat the word out loud or silently to yourself.
- Throughout your day, keep a list of the words you hear containing the soft CH sound, in words ending in IG and in other words as well. Set a time to work with these words, listening to them and trying to refine the pronunciation.
- Get feedback on your pronunciation to improve: Try the Interactive Pronunciation video lessons in Kleo. You will receive real-time feedback on your pronunciation. Featuring Feli from Germany and top German experts, these lessons are a fun and productive way to improve your pronunciation.
- Practice in context: The best way to build muscle memory is to use new sounds and words in real-life situations. Conveniently, some of Kleo’s most popular interactive video lessons prominently feature the soft CH sound. This is a convenient way to practice speaking German in contextual situations.