German native speakers...?

Question

If I said airsten, would you know whether I meant ersten or aerzten, from the pronunciation, or do you rely on context?

Answer 1

It should be pronounced differently - "z" in German is pronounced like "ts".
In "Ersten" the initial "E" should be pronounced more like in English "error" in "Ärzten" more like in English "Air"
If you pronounce it similar, well, context would be needed of course but should be no problem (the first ones - the doctors). One would really have to construct a context where they could be mixed.

Answer 2

It would depend on the context. Ersten means first and aerzten means physician.

Not everyone gets the pronunciations correct in any language, so relying on the context is important.

Answer 3

The pronunciations are different--even without context, I would hear "ersten."

Answer 4

For "airsten" is only one possible German word: ersten.

Answer 5

"Jude" is correct. I have seen the word used in modern Germany by Jews to refer to themselves, so there appears to be no association between the word itself and the Nazis. P.S. I'm not a native German but I studied the language for 7 years and work with several native Germans.

Answer 6

If you said "airsten" I'd understand "ersten".

Answer 7

if you SAY it then I would assume you mean ersten, because Ärzten is pronounced different, like airtsten.

Answer 8

im not german native speaker,but i can speak german.
yes,there is a difference in the pronunciation.
when u say ersten is s like say,when u say aerzten,its c like ts in english.
i hope this helps:)

Answer 9

I would have thought you are trying to say "ersten".....