Pronouncing “sp” and “st” in German Part 1: the rules

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When the German “sp” or “st” come at the beginning of a word they are pronounced “shp” or “sht”. Sport Stadt

When the “sp” or “st” occur in the middle or at the end of a word they are pronounced like the English “sp” or “st” as in “crisp” or “list”. Wespe Liste

However, if words beginning with sp or st are used in compound nouns, they are still pronounced as they would be at the start of the word: Sport Profisport Stadt Hauptstadt

This is also the case when: adding a prefix to verbs starting with sp or st: stehen verstehen making a past participle from verbs starting with sp or st: gestunken stinken

So remember the rules: At the beginning of a word, st and sp are pronounced sht or shp, even if the word is in the middle of a compound noun or has gained a prefix. Stand  Kopfstand stehlen  gestohlen Otherwise, in the middle or at the end of a word, st and sp are pronounced st and sp. Knospe - bud

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