Ending -ig and -er

Two very common word endings in German are -ig and -er. Each has a specific pronunciation that differs from a literal reading of the letters: -ig often sounds like "-ich", and -er is usually vocalized to a soft "-uh" sound.

Getting these right will make words like wichtig, König, Lehrer, and Wasser sound much more natural.

Explanation

The ending -ig is typically pronounced like "-ich" (/ɪç/). So "wichtig" sounds like "wich-tich" and "König" like "Kö-nich". In some regions, -ig is pronounced with a /ɪk/ (like "-ik"), but the /ɪç/ pronunciation is standard in most of Germany.

The ending -er is usually vocalized: the R becomes a weak vowel sound (/ɐ/), similar to a relaxed "uh". So "Lehrer" sounds like "Leh-ruh" and "Wasser" like "Was-suh".

When -er is part of a longer word (e.g. better, winter), the same vocalization applies. The vowel before -er is often lengthened.

These patterns are so frequent that practicing a handful of common words will quickly improve your overall pronunciation.

-ig and -er Pronunciation

Ending	Sound	Example	Pronunciation	Note
-ig	/ɪç/	wichtig	/ˈvɪçtɪç/	Like "-ich"
-ig	/ɪç/	König	/ˈkøːnɪç/	Like "-ich"
-er	/ɐ/	Lehrer	/ˈleːʁɐ/	Vocalized R
-er	/ɐ/	Wasser	/ˈvasɐ/	Vocalized R

Examples

wichtig

[/ˈvɪçtɪç/]

important

König

[/ˈkøːnɪç/]

king

richtig

[/ˈʁɪçtɪç/]

correct

Lehrer

[/ˈleːʁɐ/]

teacher

Wasser

[/ˈvasɐ/]

water

wir

[/viːɐ/]

Besser

[/ˈbɛsɐ/]

better

Tips

For -ig, think "-ich": wichtig → wich-tich, König → Kö-nich.
For -er, relax the R into a soft "uh": Lehrer → Leh-ruh, Wasser → Was-suh.
Practice high-frequency words: wichtig, richtig, Lehrer, Wasser, Besser.
If you use -ig as /ɪk/ (e.g. in the south), that is also accepted; just be consistent.

Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect: Pronouncing -ig as "-ig" (hard G)

✅ Correct: Use -ich sound: /ɪç/

Standard German -ig is pronounced like "-ich", not with a hard G.

❌ Incorrect: Pronouncing -er with a clear R sound

✅ Correct: Vocalize to /ɐ/ (soft "uh")

In -er endings, the R is typically not rolled or strong; it becomes a weak vowel.

German R Sound CH Sound Word Stress & Intonation Vowel Length

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pronounce Ending -ig and -er correctly?

What are common mistakes when pronouncing Ending -ig and -er?

See the Common Mistakes section above for detailed examples of errors to avoid.

How can I practice Ending -ig and -er pronunciation?

Practice by repeating the examples above, listening to native German speakers, and recording yourself to compare your pronunciation.