Exercise 8: spelling 'eu'

This sound is used in words like neus (nose) and keuken (kitchen).

Pronunciation:

There is no equivalent sound in British English. It sounds a bit like the French sound 'eu' in the French word 'veux', but is somewhat different. This sound is pronounced as a diphthong (explanation: see exercise 4). To be able to make this sound correctly, start saying the Dutch sound e as in de (see exercise 6). Remember this is an unstressed sound. This is the starting position of the sound (picture 1). Then move your tongue upwards a little (and continue making a sound) in order to almost end in the Dutch sound uu, which is similar to the French sound 'u' in the French word 'plus'. It means that your mouth should be pursed (picture 2). Bear in mind that your mouth is getting noticeably more tense towards the end of the sound.

Now you should be able to pronounce the sound eu.

Practise the following words:

1. jeuk
2. keus
3. deuken
4. beugel

Practise the following sentences:

1. Teun geeft wel twee keer een hand aan Tijs.
2. Hij geeft weer een leuke kaart aan Nel.

Pronounce: eu (start)

Pronounce: eu (end)