Pronunciation
Glottal stop (stød)
The stød (glottal stop) | |||
The Danish stød is perhaps the most characteristic and challenging feature of Danish pronunciation. It is not a letter but a sound effect: a brief "catch" or tightening in the throat that shortens a vowel or consonant sound. You can feel a similar stop in the pause between the words in the English expression "uh-oh!". | |||
While it can be tricky to master, understanding the stød is key to sounding natural in Danish. Its presence or absence can completely change the meaning of a word. |