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Exercise 9: spelling 'eu' (when followed by an ‘r’ or 'l')

This sound is used in words like deur (door), geul (trench) and kleuren (colours).

Pronunciation:

The pronunciation of this sound differs from exercise 8, although the spelling is the same. It is not a diphthong, so there is no movement of the tongue or mouth. It it slightly different from the ‘i’ sound in the British English word ‘sir’. Start saying this British English ‘i’ sound. Then close your lips a little bit more. Your mouth should be pursed. It is a relatively long sound.

Now you should be able to pronounce the sound eu.

Practise the following words:

  1. kleur
  2. beul
  3. geuren
  4. zeuren

nl4fr en ex9Pronounce: eu