In German
Ä
Meaning: the letter Ä (umlaut-A), pronounced like a long English "eh"
Example sentences
DerBäristgroß.
The bear is big.
ÄwieBär.
Ä as in Bär (bear).
Grammar note
“Ä” is an umlaut, close to the vowel sound in English “bear” or “air”. It's a distinct letter, not just a decorated “A” — it changes the meaning of words and can't be skipped.
Common mistake
Don't just write “a” and drop the dots when you can't type “ä” — the accepted substitute is “ae” (so “Bär” becomes “Baer”), never a plain “a”.
Quick check
Which letter sounds like English “air”, written with two dots over an A?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Is “Ä” just a decorated “A”?
No — it's a distinct letter with its own sound, changing a word's meaning.
What do I write if I can't type “ä”?
“ae”, never a plain “a”.