Months in German Pronunciation

months in german

The German calendar is based on the Gregorian calendar, similar to most of the Western world. This makes learning the months in German relatively straightforward, especially for English speakers. Many of the months are quite similar in both languages, with four months spelled exactly the same.

• Januar January
• Februar February
• März March
• April April
• Mai May
• Juni June
• Juli July
• August August
• September September
• Oktober October
• November November
• Dezember December

months in german pronunciation

Pronouncing the months in German can be easy if you understand a few key differences between English and German sounds. Let’s explore the pronunciation patterns and apply them to each month.

Key Pronunciation Patterns

Common Sounds

• “J” in German: Pronounced like the “y” in English (e.g., “yes”).
• “S” in German: Pronounced like the “z” in English (e.g., “zebra”).
• “U” in German: Pronounced like the “oo” in English (e.g., “room”).

Understanding these patterns will help you pronounce the months correctly.

Pronunciation Guide for Each Month

Table: German Months Pronunciation

English	German	Pronunciation
January	Januar	YAH-noo-ahr
February	Februar	FAR-broo-ahr
March	März	mehrts
April	April	AH-pril
May	Mai	my
June	Juni	YU-nee
July	Juli	YU-lee
August	August	ow-GOOST
September	September	zehp-TEHM-ber
October	Oktober	ok-TOH-ber
November	November	no-VEHM-ber
December	Dezember	deh-TSEM-ber

Tips for Tricky Sounds

• “z” Sound: Softer than in English, like a combination of “t” and “s.”
• “e” Sound: More open than in English, similar to an “a” sound.

Mastering the German Calendar: Days, Weeks, Months, and Seasons

Importance of Learning the Calendar in German

Understanding how to talk about days, weeks, months, and years is fundamental when learning German. It’s an essential skill for expressing when events happen and for navigating daily conversations in a German-speaking environment.

Months of the Year in German

Here are the months of the year in German along with their English equivalents and pronunciations:

English	German	Pronunciation
January	Januar	yah-noo-ahr
February	Februar	fay-broo-ahr
March	März	mehrts
April	April	ah-pril
May	Mai	my
June	Juni	yoo-nee
July	Juli	yoo-lee
August	August	ow-goost
September	September	zehp-tehm-ber
October	Oktober	ok-toh-ber
November	November	no-vehm-ber
December	Dezember	day-tsem-ber

Days of the Week in German

Here are the days of the week in German along with their English equivalents:

English	German
Monday	Montag
Tuesday	Dienstag
Wednesday	Mittwoch
Thursday	Donnerstag
Friday	Freitag
Saturday	Samstag
Sunday	Sonntag

Seasons in German

Understanding the seasons is also crucial. Here are the seasons in German:

English	German
Spring	Frühling
Summer	Sommer
Autumn/Fall	Herbst
Winter	Winter

January in German: Januar

Introduction to Januar

The German word for January is "Januar," and it marks the beginning of the new year.

Pronunciation Guide

In German, "Januar" is pronounced differently than in English:

• Januar: Pronounced "YAH-noo-ahr."

Here are some key pronunciation tips:

• The letter "J" in German sounds like the "Y" in English, as in "yellow."
• Other letters like "z" and "r" also have distinct pronunciations in German.

Cultural Significance

January, or "Januar," is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. This reflects the start of the new year.

German Saying for January

A common German phrase for January is:

• "Im Januar, im Januar, da beginnt das neue Jahr."
  1. Translation: "In January, in January, the new year begins."

Characteristics of People Born in January

Individuals born in January are often described as ambitious and hardworking. These traits help them climb the social ladder with ease.

Zodiac Signs

People born in January fall under the zodiac signs Capricorn and Aquarius, each associated with unique personality traits.

German Alphabet Introduction

To better understand German pronunciation, familiarize yourself with the German alphabet. Here are some key differences:

Letter	German Pronunciation Example	English Equivalent
J	"Y" as in "yellow"	"Y" sound
Z	"TS" as in "cats"	"Z" sound in English
R	Soft, rolled sound	R sound (different)

February in German: Februar

Introduction to Februar

February in German is "Februar." This month is often associated with love and romance in German culture.

Pronunciation Guide

The pronunciation of "Februar" is straightforward:

• Februar: Pronounced "FEH-broo-ahr."

Interesting Facts About Februar

Leap Year and Leaplings

If you were born on February 29th, you're known as a "leapling." Interestingly, the German word for lover is "Liebling," which sounds similar to "leapling."

Cultural Associations

February is considered the month of love in Germany. Here are some cultural notes:

• Weather Saying: "Gibt es im Februar Schnee und Eis, wird der Sommer richtig heiß." This means "If there is snow and ice in February, the summer gets really hot."
• Zodiac Signs: Men born in February are believed to be faithful and patient, while women are considered attractive and charming.

German Quotes About Love

Enhance your understanding of February's romantic significance with these German quotes about love.

Quote	Translation
Liebe ist, wenn aus dem Du und Ich ein Wir wird.	Love is when you and I become we.
Die Liebe ist ein Stoff, den die Natur gewebt und die Fantasie bestickt hat.	Love is a fabric that nature wove and imagination embroidered.

Characteristics of February-born Individuals

Explore more about German zodiac signs and the characteristics of people born in February. Men are known for their loyalty and patience, while women are celebrated for their charm and attractiveness.

March month in German

Introduction to März

March in German is called "März." It marks the transition from winter to the warmer months.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "März" correctly, you need to understand German umlauts:

• März: Pronounced "mehrts."

German Umlauts

German umlauts are special vowel sounds represented by the characters ä, ö, and ü. Here's how to pronounce them:

Umlaut	Pronunciation Example	Similar English Sound
ä	"eh" as in "bed"	No direct equivalent
ö	"er" as in "her"	No direct equivalent
ü	"ue" as in "cue"	No direct equivalent

Cultural Significance

March, or "März," is known for the beer "Märzenbier," a special brew named after the month. This beer symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of warmer days.

German Saying for March

A popular German phrase for March is:

• "Der schönste Monat für das Herz, ist und bleibt der Monat März."
  1. Translation: "The most beautiful month for the heart is and will be March."

Characteristics of People Born in March

People born in March are known for their strong and dominant personalities. They may not readily admit when they are wrong, but their strength often leads to success.

April in German: April

Introduction to April

In German, April is also called "April." This month is known for its unpredictable weather and vibrant Easter celebrations.

Pronunciation Guide

Even though "April" is spelled the same in both English and German, the pronunciation differs, especially with the German "r."

• April: Pronounced "AH-pril."

Cultural Significance

Easter Celebrations

April is a colorful month in Germany because of Ostern (Easter). During this time, children participate in egg hunts, searching for eggs and small gifts hidden by their parents.

German Saying for April

A common German phrase about April is:

• "April, April, der weiß nicht, was er will."
  1. Translation: "April, April, he doesn’t know what he wants."

Notable Events in April

Historical Events

• Titanic Sinking: The Titanic's tragic sinking happened in April.
• American Revolutionary War: The first battle of the American Revolutionary War occurred in April.
• Ford Mustang Release: The first Ford Mustang was released on April 17, 1964.

Characteristics of People Born in April

People born in April are often seen as fearless and aggressive, similar to the boldness of the first Ford Mustang.

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
German Name	April
Pronunciation	AH-pril
Cultural Significance	Easter Celebrations, Historical Events
Common Phrase	"April, April, der weiß nicht, was er will."

May in German: Mai

Introduction to May

May, known as "Mai" in German, brings warmer weather and the blooming of flowers.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "Mai" correctly:

• Mai: Pronounced "my."

Cultural Significance

May is associated with various celebrations and traditions, including:

• Maibaum: Maypole festivals where villages decorate tall poles with ribbons and flowers.
• Muttertag: Mother's Day, celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Germany.

German Saying for May

A common German phrase about May is:

• "Der Mai ist gekommen, die Bäume schlagen aus."
  • Translation: "May has arrived, the trees are budding."

Characteristics of People Born in May

People born in May are often seen as determined and resilient.

June in German: Juni

Introduction to June

June, or "Juni" in German, heralds the start of summer with longer days and warmer temperatures.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "Juni" correctly:

• Juni: Pronounced "YU-nee."

Cultural Significance

June is associated with outdoor activities and festivals, such as:

• Sommeranfang: The official start of summer, celebrated on June 21st.
• Johannistag: St. John's Day, celebrated on June 24th with bonfires and festivals.

German Saying for June

A common German phrase about June is:

• "Juni bringt Rosen und Honig im Mund."
  1. Translation: "June brings roses and honey in the mouth."

Characteristics of People Born in June

People born in June are often seen as adaptable and sociable.

July in German (Juli)

Introduction to July

July, known as "Juli" in German, brings the peak of summer with its warm weather and longer days.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "Juli" correctly:

• Juli: Pronounced "YU-lee."

Cultural Significance

July is associated with heat and sometimes rain. It's a time for outdoor activities and enjoying the sunshine.

Characteristics of People Born in July

People born in July are often seen as patient and modest. Notable leaders born in July include Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.

August in German (August)

Introduction to August

August, known as "August" in German, continues the warm summer weather, often with increased humidity.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "August" correctly:

• August: Pronounced "OW-goost."

Cultural Significance

August is associated with warmth and sometimes thunderstorms. It's a time for enjoying outdoor activities before the transition to autumn.

Characteristics of People Born in August

People born in August often show leadership qualities. Notable figures born in August include Barack Obama and Napoleon Bonaparte.

September in German (September)

Introduction to September

September, known as "September" in German, marks the transition from summer to autumn, with milder temperatures.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "September" correctly:

• September: Pronounced "zehp-TEHM-ber."

Cultural Significance

September is associated with mild weather and the arrival of autumn. It's also known for the increase in mosquito activity.

October in German (Oktober)

Introduction to October

October, known as "Oktober" in German, brings cooler temperatures and the famous Oktoberfest celebration in Munich.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "Oktober" correctly:

• Oktober: Pronounced "ok-TOH-ber."

Cultural Significance

October is famous for Oktoberfest in Munich, although it's celebrated differently in other parts of Germany. It's also a time for harvesting nuts and enjoying the changing colors of autumn.

November in German (November)

Introduction to November

November, known as "November" in German, brings cooler temperatures and the transition to late autumn.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "November" correctly:

• November: Pronounced "no-VEHM-ber."

Cultural Significance

November is associated with the transition to colder weather and the approaching holiday season. It's a time for cozy indoor activities and reflection.

Characteristics of People Born in November

People born in November are often seen as determined and independent. Notable figures born in November include Leonardo DiCaprio and Marie Curie.

December in German (Dezember)

Introduction to December

December, known as "Dezember" in German, marks the beginning of winter and the festive holiday season.

Pronunciation Guide

To pronounce "Dezember" correctly:

• Dezember: Pronounced "deh-TSEM-ber."

Cultural Significance

December is associated with holiday celebrations, including Christmas and New Year's Eve. It's a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, and festive decorations.

Characteristics of People Born in December

People born in December are often seen as generous and optimistic. Notable figures born in December include Walt Disney and Ludwig van Beethoven.