What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
umlaut
Example
The word 'über' in German has an umlaut over the 'u'. [umlaut: noun]
Example
The pronunciation of 'fünf' in German changes due to the umlaut. [umlaut: noun]
trema
Example
The word 'naïve' has a trema over the 'i'. [trema: noun]
Example
The pronunciation of 'coöperate' changes due to the trema. [trema: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Umlaut is more commonly used than trema in everyday language, as it is used in German and other languages with vowel mutation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between umlaut and trema?
Both umlaut and trema are formal terms used in linguistics and language studies, but they are not commonly used in everyday conversation.
