To those who speak German can someone please explain this ...
 

OK, I'm trying to learn German, but am getting stuck on the letter 'ß'

My internet research has shown it is pronounced ess-zett

So with a word such as groß (Big) is it pronounced

gross-zett

or just

gross

because what I read on the net is conflicting.

Thanks in advance :)

It makes a sound like 'ss'
Straße is sort of pronounced stras-se

You can try using google translate , they have an option to listen to the word
http://translate.google.com/#en|de|big

What Konrad said.
You can practice german in Amsterdam.
They love german speaking people over there.

i thought the ß isnt used much anymore and all replaced by ss in written german or am i mistaken?

So with the word groß it would be pronounced gros-se ?

If so, why does some sites say it replaces sz (ess-zett) whilst others do say is replaces ss

Or is it different in the context its used perhaps?

It's still used on street signs and stuff, I'm not sure about elsewhere.

No, more like gros-s

So can i assume then it always is pronounced like 'ss' rather than 'sz'

that will make things a lot easier :)

I believe so, yes. It is called eszett but doesn't make that sound.

YDG it is "called" 'sz' or 'sharp s' in german. The difference between "Straße" and "Essen" for example is that the ß in Straße is more pronounced than the "ss" in Essen. It is more emphasized as one letter instead of 2. "Stra-ße" vs. "Es-sen". A single 's' is simply less sharp "rei-ßen" vs. "rei-sen" (to tear vs to travel).

Hope that helps :)

Yes, that would be a fair assumption. There will be occasions like Straße, but don't worry about those. People will understand anyways.

The 'ß' is pronounced like 'ss' with the difference that the sound/syllable before the 'ß' is accented. So groß is pronounced 'gr-oh-ss". Same with Straße ("Str-ah-sse").

run down to your local Borders books and buy a copy of Pimsleur German, or order it off of Amazon.com, no sense struggling with trying to "read" how to say something, the only way to learn properly is by listening and repeating:2 cents:

We have Michel Thomas German, which is pretty good, but the ß was still confusing.

It does actually. I think I got it :)

maybe these videos will be helpful too?

https://youtube.com/user/DeutschOnlineLernen

You can listen to dict.cc. They have a pretty decent pronounciation:

http://www.dict.cc/?s=Stra%C3%9Fe

I just checked it out and it sounds ok. Where a re you in Germany?

That is very useful :) Thanks!

We're close to Bonndorf in Baden-Wurttemberg at present as we are in the process of buying a hotel. Hence needing to learn German

Cool. the Schwarzwald is a very nice place to live in. Friends of mine are living in Schopfheim which is near Lörrach. Not far away from Bonndorf. If you ever have questions regarding buying a hotel, feel free to ask me.

It is beautiful down here and we love it. We've been looking at hotels in Todtmoos, St Blasien, Bonndorf, and Titisee.

Thanks for the offer of help, I may just need to take you up on it :)

Feel free to contact me on ICQ 154 - 723 - 327

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Tittylake. Sounds like a nice place :winkwink:

A bit off-topic, but what are they singing about?