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Spelling and pronunciation: Vowels |
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Dutch is very rich in vowels and diphthongs (vowel combinations). This list compares the Dutch vowels to English vowels. Please note that most of the suggested English counterparts are only approximate. Please consult a native speaker of Dutch for the precise sounds.
| as in | meaning | English approximation | a | man | man | as in father but shorter | | aa | raam | window | between father and cat | | a | sla | lettuce | same as aa | | e | bed | bed | as in bed | | ee | been | leg | as in ray | | e | café | cafe | same as ee | | e | de | the | as in the | | i | kip | chicken | as in chicken | | ie | tien | ten | as in thirteen | | i | taxi | taxi | same as ie | | o | pot | pot | close to pot | | oo | boot | boat | as in brooch | | o | open | open | same as oo | | u | zus | sister | between hut and hurt | | uu | uur | hour | as ie above but with rounded lips | | u | menu | menu | same as uu | | oe | stoel | chair | as in shoe | | eu | neus | nose | as ee above but with rounded lips | | ou | hout | wood | as in how | | ouw | vrouw | woman | same as ou | | au | auto | car | same as ou | | auw | auw | ouch | same as ou | | ui | huis | house | sequence of a + uu above | | ij | wijn | wine | sequence of e + y | | ei | trein | train | same as ij | | aai | aaien | to caress | as in eye | | ooi | mooi | beautiful | as in toy | | oei | groei | growth | as in chewy | | eeuw | eeuw | century | sequence of ee + oe above | | ieuw | nieuw | new | sequence of ie + oe above | | uw | schaduw | shadow | sequence of uu + oe above |
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