German for English speakers House · Lesson 2

Spelling a name

Spelling names in German — B wie Berta (B as in Bertha) — the German equivalent of the spelling alphabet.

Conversation

  1. Lindo Lindo

    Entschuldigen Sie bitte, aber wie schreibt man „Bolin“?

    Excuse me, how do you spell Bolin?

    Tip: <Entschuldigen Sie> = the polite form of "excuse me"

  2. Cassian Cassian

    B wie Berlin

    B as in Berlin

  3. Lindo Lindo

    O wie Orange

    O as in Orange

  4. Cassian Cassian

    L wie Livorno

    L as in Livorno

  5. Lindo Lindo

    I wie Ingolstadt

    I as in Ingolstadt

  6. Cassian Cassian

    N wie Nürnberg

    N as in Nürnberg

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you spell names in German?

[Letter] wie [name]: B wie Berta. Uses traditional German names rather than NATO alphabet. Common alternatives: A wie Anton, C wie Cäsar, D wie Dora.

How do you ask 'how do you spell ...?'?

Wie schreibt man ...? = 'how does one write ...?'. Or: Wie buchstabiert man ...? = 'how do you spell ...?'.

German letter pronunciation tips?

ß (eszett/sharp s, like 'ss'). Ä, ö, ü (umlauts). W is pronounced like English V. V often like F. Z like 'ts'.

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