U

The long “U” sound can be formed in the same way as the other German long vowel sounds, before a single consonant or add “H” behind it. There aren’t any German words with two “U’s” next to each other (except Vakuum, but I don’t think that counts since they are pronounced individually), so you can’t make the long “U” sound that way. The German short “U” sound is pretty much the same as the English version in the words up, under, and pun. The German long “U” sound is more similar to the sound of two “O’s” in English than the English long “U”. For example: boot, shoot, and fool. Just make sure you don’t add that “W” sound that usually accompanies the English version. 

Short “U” Examples

Preceding Multiple Consonants:

der Hund [hʊnt] - dog 

der Wunsch [vʊnʃ] - wish 

die Butter [ˈbʊtɐ] - butter 

Long “U” Examples 

Preceding a Single Consonant:

die Grube [ˈɡʀuːbə] - pit 

das Ufer [ˈuːfɐ] - shore

das Buch [buːχ] - book (the CH is treated as one consonant) 

Preceding the Letter “H”:

der Stuhl [ʃtuːl] - chair 

das Huhn [huːn] - chicken 

die Ruhe [ˈʀuːə] - quiet