What is the ß Character Called in English? Meaning of Eszett Explained

Learn what the German letter ß (Eszett) is called in English and how it represents the sharp S sound unique to the German alphabet.

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In English, ß is called 'Eszett' or 'sharp S'. It's a letter used in the German alphabet representing the 's' sound in Standard German pronunciation when in the middle or at the end of a word, following long vowels and diphthongs. This character is uniquely German and does not have a direct equivalent in the English alphabet.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What does the letter ß mean in German? The letter ß, called Eszett or sharp S, represents a voiceless 's' sound used in German after long vowels and diphthongs.
  2. Is there an equivalent of ß in the English alphabet? No, the ß character is unique to the German alphabet and does not have a direct equivalent in English.
  3. How is ß pronounced in German words? ß is pronounced like a sharp 's' sound, similar to the 'ss' in English words like 'hiss'.

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