German · Pronunciation Guide

How do you pronounce "nett" in German?

NET, exactly like the English word net. The doubled t is a spelling signal that the vowel stays short.

nett /nɛt/

This is a one-vowel word, and one of the few adjectives here where English instincts serve you well. Endings add unstressed syllables without changing anything: nette, netter, nettes all keep the same clipped vowel under the stress with a schwa trailing behind.

Listen: nett

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Sound it out

n A clean n with the tongue touching just behind the teeth.

e Short and open, as in bed. The doubled consonant behind it guarantees the shortness.

tt Written double, said once, and fully released with a small puff of air.

Hear it in a sentence

Du warst sehr nett.

You were very kind.

Listen: Du warst sehr nett.

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Du warst sehr nett uses warst, the du past form of sein, which piles r, s and t together at the end — a cluster that rewards slowing down. Sehr then supplies another vocalised r, so the sentence has two r sounds that both dissolve rather than being pronounced as consonants.

Where English speakers slip

This is a rare case where the English word matching the spelling is very close, so the only real risk is the final t. American speakers glottalise or swallow a word-final t, which leaves the German word sounding cut off. Release it cleanly with a small breath after it, and the word is done.