CHAPTER 2

Lesson 11 · Pronunciation 2

An adult learner practising Dutch pronunciation with a teacher, using the sounds ee and ie.

Differences between "ee" and "ie"

Practise four sound groups: ee / ie, sch, oe and ui. Listen to a few words at a time, pause and repeat. Start with the difference between ie and ee.

Dutch word "mier"

Dutch word "meer"​

The Dutch word "meer" has more meanings

It's important to realize that the Dutch word 'meer' has multiple meanings. The first meaning presented in the video was 'lake'. However, 'meer' can also mean 'more'. We will indicate this in our illustration language by means of  ">>>"  (less is indicated by   "<<<").

For example, if you ask someone if they want more sugar in their coffee, 'meer' would be the word used in Dutch.

"sch"

The following videos show a number of words that start with "sch". This is a special sound that is typical for the Dutch language and many foreigners have big problems to pronounce it:

Dutch word "school"​

Dutch word "schaal"​

Dutch word "schaar"​

Dutch word "schip​

Dutch word "schep​"

Time for a puzzle

Dutch word "voet"​

Dutch word "koe"

Dutch word "doek"

The sound “ui”

onion (Dutch: "ui")

For many non-Dutch citizens the sound "ui" causes many problems. It is also a word: onion.

Dutch word "uit"

Dutch word "uil"

Dutch word "fluit"

Dutch word "fruit"

Time for a puzzle