A1 Letter guide
The ß is the letter that makes German look stranger than it really is. Learners often mistake it for a capital B, and then they wonder why Straße is sometimes written Strasse. Luckily, ß is only an “s” sound, and one simple rule tells you when to write it. In this lesson you’ll learn what ß is, how to say it, when to use ß and when to use ss, what the capital ẞ is for, and how to type it on any device.
Quick answer
ß (called Eszett or scharfes S) is a German letter that sounds exactly like a sharp “ss”, as in “kiss”. Write ß after a long vowel or a diphthong (Straße, groß, heißen) and ss after a short vowel (Wasser, muss, dass). If you can’t type it, writing ss is accepted.
Tip: Tap the speaker buttons to hear each word. Read the word aloud before you listen, then compare.
What Is ß?
ß is a letter of the German alphabet that only exists in German. Its name, Eszett (Eszett), comes from the two letters it grew out of in old handwriting: a long s and a z (“s-z”). Many Germans just call it scharfes S, “sharp s”.
Three facts are enough for a beginner:
- ß is always lowercase in normal text, because no German word starts with it.
- It never makes a “b” sound. It only looks a bit like a B.
- Austria uses ß like Germany does. Switzerland and Liechtenstein don’t use it at all (more on that below).
How to Pronounce ß
ß is pronounced as a clear, voiceless s, like the “ss” in English kiss or the “c” in nice. It is never buzzed like the “z” sound in rose.
That’s important, because a single German s between vowels is buzzed. Compare these pairs:
| Word | Sound | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| reisen | buzzed “z” | to travel |
| reißen | sharp “s” | to tear |
| Rasen | buzzed “z” | lawn |
| Straße | sharp “s” | street |
| heiser | buzzed “z” | hoarse |
| heißer | sharp “s” | hotter |
So the ß isn’t decoration: it tells you to keep the s sharp, and it often tells you that the vowel before it is long.
Why the rule is easy to remember
The brain remembers patterns better than lists. Instead of memorising which words take ß, train one link: long vowel + sharp s = ß. After a few dozen words the choice starts to feel automatic, the same way English speakers “just know” to write hoping but hopping.
ß vs ss: The Spelling Rule
Since the German spelling reform (in force since 2006), the rule is based on the vowel in front of the s sound.
After long vowels and diphthongs: ß
If the vowel before the sharp s is long, or is a diphthong (ei, ai, au, äu, eu), write ß:
- die Straße (street), groß (big), der Fuß (foot), süß (sweet)
- heißen (to be called), weiß (white), draußen (outside), außer (except)
- Grüße (greetings), as in Viele Grüße at the end of an email
After short vowels: ss
If the vowel before it is short, write ss:
- das Wasser (water), der Fluss (river), der Schlüssel (key)
- muss (must), dass (that, conjunction), essen (to eat)
Watch the same word family switch between the two as the vowel length changes:
| Long vowel → ß | Short vowel → ss |
|---|---|
| ich weiß (I know) | wir wissen (we know) |
| fließen (to flow) | der Fluss (river), es floss (it flowed) |
| der Fuß (foot) | (stays long: die Füße) |
| genießen (to enjoy) | der Genuss (enjoyment) |
Old spellings: Before the reform, daß, muß and Fluß were written with ß. You’ll still see them in older books and signs. Today they are dass, muss and Fluss.
Swiss German
In Switzerland and Liechtenstein, ß isn’t used at all. Swiss newspapers write Strasse, gross and Grüsse. That’s correct Swiss Standard German, not a mistake. If you’re learning for Germany or Austria, use ß.
Capital ẞ
Because no word starts with ß, a capital form was rarely needed. It matters only in ALL CAPS text, such as signs, headlines and passports. There are two correct options:
- The traditional way: replace ß with SS, so Straße becomes STRASSE.
- Since 2017, the official rules also allow the capital Eszett ẞ: STRAẞE.
Both are accepted. On official documents the capital ẞ is useful, because it keeps names like Meißner and Meissner apart.
How to Type ß
If you can’t type ß, write ss. Germans will understand you perfectly. But typing the real letter takes one shortcut:
| Device | ß | Capital ẞ |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0223 (number pad) | In Word: type 1E9E, then Alt + X |
| Mac | Option + s | Character Viewer (search “sharp s”) |
| iPhone / Android | Press and hold s, slide to ß | Same, with Shift on |
| German keyboard | The key right of the 0 | Shift + AltGr + ß (on newer layouts) |
Windows
Hold Alt and type 0223 on the number pad. Laptops without a number pad can use the emoji panel (Windows key + .) and search for “ß” under symbols, or add the German keyboard layout in Settings.
Mac
Press Option + s. That’s it, and it works in every app.
Phone
On iPhone and Android, press and hold the s key and slide to ß in the pop-up.
Quiz
1. ß or ss? Die Stra__e
Straße. The a is long, so it takes ß.
2. ß or ss? Ich mu__ gehen.
muss. The u is short, so it takes ss.
3. How do you write “groß” in Switzerland?
gross. Swiss Standard German doesn’t use ß.
4. How does ß sound: like the s in “rose” or the ss in “kiss”?
Like the ss in “kiss”: a sharp, voiceless s.
FAQs
Is ß the same as B?
No. ß is a sharp “s” sound and has nothing to do with B. It only looks similar in some fonts.
Can I write ss instead of ß?
Yes, if you can’t type ß. Everyone will understand you. In careful writing for Germany or Austria, use ß where it belongs.
Why is it called Eszett?
The name means “s-z” because the letter developed from a long s joined to a z in old German handwriting and print.
Is there a capital ß?
Yes, ẞ. It has been officially allowed since 2017. Writing SS in capitals (STRASSE) is also still correct.
Do Austrians use ß?
Yes. Austria follows the same ß rules as Germany. Only Switzerland and Liechtenstein write ss everywhere.
Conclusion
ß is just a sharp “s”. Write it after long vowels and diphthongs (Straße, heißen), write ss after short vowels (Wasser, dass), and remember that the Swiss skip ß completely. Type it with Alt + 0223 or Option + s. Then practise the other special letters: the ü (u umlaut) and the rest of the German alphabet, or go back to the full German pronunciation guide.
Sources and further reading: Rat für deutsche Rechtschreibung (official spelling rules) and ß on Wikipedia.
Keep learning → German phrases and greetings for every situation
