If you need to type something in your native language, but your computer or laptop has an English layout, you need a virtual German keyboard on your computer screen. It is very simple and convenient to use. If you don’t like something, something doesn’t work or doesn’t work correctly, please let us know. This is very important for us. On the Loderi.com website using our virtual keyboard you can absolutely free and online:

Typing on the virtual keyboard is easy and free

We have been testing the site interface and keyboard layouts for your convenience for a long time. And now we are confident in your comfort when typing on our keyboard online on your monitor screen. Here online you can use a standard keyboard (qwerty), phonetic keyboard and others. A German keyboard in the form of an alphabet will be added soon. It's easy to type letters, translate them, print and save them, and stay in touch with friends using Facebook and Twitter. And of course – what would the Internet be without Google search and YouTube videos? All these actions are done on our website in 1 click - try it! You can also save your printed documents (to do this, you need to log in using Facebook, Twitter or Google) so that you can continue them later.

And if you need to upload a photo from your computer or phone and get a link, use IMGisto.

German keyboard online on your website - how to get it and use it

You can also install our link, button, or the entire online virtual German keyboard on your website - to do this you need to copy the code and paste it into your website or blog. We are also open to suggestions for the features you need - just write to us and describe what is missing (the more details, the better) - we will do what you need!

German keyboard and English translation online

In order to translate text typed on your keyboard online, just click the “Translate” button and the most popular one in the whole world will open in a new window online translator from Google. By default, the translation is set to English, but you can choose any other language at your discretion.

If you are actively studying German, then you need to be able to type in German. “So what's the problem? Is it really that difficult? - you probably thought. Just look at your keyboard and try to find the umlauts on it. Conduct an experiment and print er, Maßstab. If you are an average resident of Russia or another Russian-speaking region, then in 99.9% of cases you will not find them there. So how do you type German words in such a situation? This is what this article will be devoted to.

How is a German keyboard different?

Firstly, unlike the standard Latin alphabet, the German language has so-called special characters. The most recognizable of them are umlauts(umlauts) or “reverberations”. Umlauts are vowel sounds with two dots at the top. There are only three of them in German: Ä ä, Ö ö, Ü ü . In addition to umlauts, there is another special symbol - ß . This esset(German Eszett), also known as acute S (scharfes S).

Secondly, the characters on the German keyboard are not arranged in the order in which you are used to.

If you compare the keyboard in the picture with yours, you will see that the keys Z And Y swapped places. Many additional characters, e.g. < , > , / etc. located not on the right, but on top under the keys F1 - F9 , because their place was taken by the umlauts.

Simply put, if you have never seen a German keyboard before, it will take you some time to get used to it.

How to type German characters on a Russian keyboard

If you urgently need to write something in German, but don’t have a German keyboard at hand, then don’t despair. There are several ways to solve this problem.

Replace the missing character with a combination of letters.

Most special characters in the German language can be replaced with a combination of regular characters. This is convenient because you can type German words without having a German keyboard. To type an umlaut, you simply write the base vowel from which it is derived and add a letter after it e, For example:

• Ä – AE
• Ö - OU
• Ü – UE

As you may have noticed, there is no special combination for ß. Sometimes it is replaced by doubles (ss), but this does not always correspond to the spelling rules of the German language. So what to do? Method number 2 comes to the rescue.

Copy the desired symbol from the Internet.

You don't need to walk far. Just select the desired symbol ( Ä ä, Ö ö, Ü ü, ß), and paste it into your text. The disadvantage of this method is that you need to constantly keep the site with the necessary symbols at hand. And you won’t be able to type quickly, because every half word you’ll have to stop and copy the next umlaut or eszet again.

Install German language on your computer.

Everything is very simple here. You need to go to the language settings of your operating system and download the German language. It will only take a few minutes, after which you can turn on the German layout with the usual combination Alt + Shift or Win+ space(Windows 10).

Attentive readers will immediately remember that the arrangement of characters on the German keyboard is different from what we are used to. If you choose this method, you will have to learn the location of all the symbols on the keyboard by heart!

Buy a rubber keyboard cover.

If you cannot remember the location of the required characters (yes, it is not easy), then we have come up with silicone keyboard covers especially for you, which will essentially replace your main layout. They are very cheap (about 200 rubles) and invisible to use. This is perhaps the most effective way type in German if you have to deal with German every day.

Practice typing in German in live communication with Christoph

Christoph Deininger is a German-speaking teacher at our online Deutschklasse. He has his own profile on Facebook, where he regularly communicates with everyone. If you want to learn how to quickly type on the German keyboard, just add Christophe as a friend on Facebook and after just a month of active communication you will feel like a fish in water.

Even if you don’t speak German well yet, it’s okay, because Christoph knows Russian perfectly. Add Christophe as a friend and chat in German in your free time.

In the German alphabet there is 26 Latin letters, three signs "a-umlaut", "o-umlaut", "u-umlaut", which are indicated using a diacritic in the form of two dots above the letter - spelling: ä, ö, ü, and ligature - ß.

Umlaut says that the sound supplemented by two dots above the letter is phonetically different from the sound indicated by this very letter without an umlaut, and is read, accordingly, differently:

ä – read as “e”,

ö – similar to the Russian “ё”, pronounced together with “o”,

ü – like “yu” in a word, for example, “Lucy”.

The sign ß, called esset, stands for a long “s”. At the same time, it also indicates that the previous vowel has a lengthened sound, and the combination of two letters s (“ss”) in a row shortens the sound of the vowel in front of them.

Typing German characters ä, ö, ü and ß on a non-German keyboard

Due to the fact that esset and letters with umlauts have a different sound from the double “s” and letters without dots above them, the umlaut cannot be omitted in order to avoid ambiguity.

When typing German text on the keyboard If the German keyboard layout is not installed, the question arises of designating special German characters. There are several ways to fix this problem.

Typing in German or Common methods of replacing German characters

A character with an umlaut can be replaced when writing with the following letter combination: a letter without an umlaut + the letter “e”:

Ä - ae,

Ö - oe,

Ü – ue.

In the case of umlaut signs, there are designations for lowercase and uppercase letters.

Replacing "esset"

Instead of the ß sign, you can use ss.

Considering that the ligature ß has only a lowercase style, then if necessary, you can write a word with ß in capital letters using the same method - replace the esset with the letter combination SS. When replacing the esset in this way, you need to be careful, since there are words in which replacing the ligature ß with a double s can lead to the formation of three consonants s in a row, which is not very correct, although at the moment it is acceptable.

In such cases

• it is better to replace ß with sz (Maszstab)
• or to separate the word with a hyphen between the double ss, which replaces the ß sign, and the letter s that follows in the word (Mass-stab).

Using German characters in “ Microsoft Word“

• Find the “Microsoft Word” menu in the “Insert” tab, select the “Symbols” section - a corresponding window will open in which you need to find the corresponding symbol and then click the “Insert” button.
• You can use the keyboard shortcut listed at the bottom of this window. For example, the following keyboard shortcuts correspond to certain characters in the German keyboard:

Ctrl+Shift+zh, U - Ü,

Ctrl+Shift+zh, A - Ä,

Ctrl+Shift+zh, O – Ö,

Ctrl+? S – ß.

Copy method

The easiest way is to find already typed German text located in the computer memory or on the Internet, and copy all the necessary for printing symbols ä, ö, ü, ß to the buffer. Subsequently, insert these characters as needed by accessing the clipboard.

This method, like the previous one, is good if you type German texts rarely, from time to time. If you need to constantly use the German layout, then the above methods are not very convenient. Thus, it is necessary to write the necessary characters into the clipboard every time after turning on Microsoft Word, since after turning off the computer, the clipboard is reset to zero and the information in the buffer is not saved.

Installing the German keyboard layout

If you still have to frequently type texts in German, for example, correspond with partners from Germany, Austria, etc., or communicate in social networks with German-speaking interlocutors, then the best way However, it is necessary to install the German keyboard layout.

To set this layout, you can use the Start menu, following the algorithm:

Start - Settings - Control Panel - Regional and Language Options - Languages ​​- Installed Services - Add - German (Germany).

At the same time, it is also advisable to remember where the signs with umlauts and esset are located on the keyboard. Thus, in the German layout, the ligature ß is located to the right of zero on the alphanumeric block, and the signs ä, ö, ü are also located on the right side of the keyboard on the same keys as the Russian letters e, zh, x, respectively.

In addition, Y is used quite rarely in German, so this letter is located in a different place on the keyboard compared to the standard Latin layout. In the German keyboard layout, the positions of the letters Z and Y are reversed.

Writing the characters ä, ö, ü, ß using the English layout

It is possible to type distinctive German characters using the English (US - international) layout. In this case, the signs ä, ö, ü, and ß correspond to combinations of the Alt key with the letters q, p, y, s, respectively, that is

Ä – Alt+q,

Ö – Alt+p,

Ü – Alt+y,

ß – Alt+s.

In any case, the choice of how to type special German characters is up to the user. :))

Also, the methods are also described in this video on my LifeIstGut channel on Youtube!))

Subscribe to blog updates + get a free book with German phrases, + subscribe toYOU-TUBE channel.. with educational videos and videos about life in Germany.

If you need to type something in your native language, but your computer or laptop has an English layout, you need a virtual German keyboard on your computer screen. It is very simple and convenient to use. If you don’t like something, something doesn’t work or doesn’t work correctly, please let us know. This is very important for us. On the Loderi.com website using our virtual keyboard you can absolutely free and online:

Typing with a virtual keyboard is easy and free

We have been testing the site interface and keyboard layouts for your convenience for a long time. And now we are confident in your comfort when typing on our keyboard online on your monitor screen. Here online you can use a standard keyboard (qwerty), phonetic keyboard and others. A German keyboard in the form of an alphabet will be added soon. It's easy to type letters, translate them, print and save them, and stay in touch with friends using Facebook and Twitter. And of course - what is the Internet without Google search and YouTube videos? All these actions are done on our website in 1 click - try it! You can also save your printed documents (to do this, you need to log in using Facebook, Twitter or Google) so that you can continue them later.

German keyboard online on your website - how to get it and use it

You can also install our link, button, or the entire online virtual German keyboard on your website - to do this you need to copy the code and paste it into your website or blog. We are also open to suggestions for the features you need - just write to us and describe what is missing (the more details, the better) - we will do what you need!

German keyboard and English translation online

In order to translate text typed on your keyboard online, simply click the “Translate” button and the world’s most popular online translator from Google will open in a new window. By default, the translation is set to English, but you can choose any other language at your discretion.

In the German alphabet there is 26 Latin letters, three signs "a-umlaut", "o-umlaut", "u-umlaut", which are indicated using a diacritic in the form of two dots above the letter - spelling: ä, ö, ü, and ligature - ß.

Umlaut says that the sound supplemented by two dots above the letter is phonetically different from the sound indicated by this very letter without an umlaut, and is read, accordingly, differently:

ä – read as “e”,

ö – similar to the Russian “ё”, pronounced together with “o”,

ü – like “yu” in a word, for example, “Lucy”.

The sign ß, called esset, stands for a long “s”. At the same time, it also indicates that the previous vowel has a lengthened sound, and the combination of two letters s (“ss”) in a row shortens the sound of the vowel in front of them.

Typing German characters ä, ö, ü and ß on a non-German keyboard

Due to the fact that esset and letters with umlauts have a different sound from the double “s” and letters without dots above them, the umlaut cannot be omitted in order to avoid ambiguity.

When typing German text on the keyboard If the German keyboard layout is not installed, the question arises of designating special German characters. There are several ways to fix this problem.

Typing in German or Common methods of replacing German characters

A character with an umlaut can be replaced when writing with the following letter combination: a letter without an umlaut + the letter “e”:

Ä - ae,

Ö - oe,

Ü – ue.

In the case of umlaut signs, there are designations for lowercase and uppercase letters.

Replacing "esset"

Instead of the ß sign, you can use ss.

Considering that the ligature ß has only a lowercase style, then if necessary, you can write a word with ß in capital letters using the same method - replace the esset with the letter combination SS. When replacing the esset in this way, you need to be careful, since there are words in which replacing the ligature ß with a double s can lead to the formation of three consonants s in a row, which is not very correct, although at the moment it is acceptable.

In such cases

• it is better to replace ß with sz (Maszstab)
• or to separate the word with a hyphen between the double ss, which replaces the ß sign, and the letter s that follows in the word (Mass-stab).

Using German characters in Microsoft Word

• Find the “Microsoft Word” menu in the “Insert” tab, select the “Symbols” section - a corresponding window will open in which you need to find the corresponding symbol and then click the “Insert” button.
• You can use the keyboard shortcut listed at the bottom of this window. For example, the following keyboard shortcuts correspond to certain characters in the German keyboard:

Ctrl+Shift+zh, U - Ü,

Ctrl+Shift+zh, A - Ä,

Ctrl+Shift+zh, O – Ö,

Ctrl+? S – ß.

Copy method

The easiest way is to find already typed German text located in the computer memory or on the Internet, and copy all the necessary for printing symbols ä, ö, ü, ß to the buffer. Subsequently, insert these characters as needed by accessing the clipboard.

This method, like the previous one, is good if you type German texts rarely, from time to time. If you need to constantly use the German layout, then the above methods are not very convenient. Thus, it is necessary to write the necessary characters into the clipboard every time after turning on Microsoft Word, since after turning off the computer, the clipboard is reset to zero and the information in the buffer is not saved.

Installing the German keyboard layout

If you still have to frequently type texts in German, for example, correspond with partners from Germany, Austria, etc., or communicate on social networks with German-speaking interlocutors, then The best way is still to install the German keyboard layout.

To set this layout, you can use the Start menu, following the algorithm:

Start - Settings - Control Panel - Regional and Language Options - Languages ​​- Installed Services - Add - German (Germany).

At the same time, it is also advisable to remember where the signs with umlauts and esset are located on the keyboard. Thus, in the German layout, the ligature ß is located to the right of zero on the alphanumeric block, and the signs ä, ö, ü are also located on the right side of the keyboard on the same keys as the Russian letters e, zh, x, respectively.

In addition, Y is used quite rarely in German, so this letter is located in a different place on the keyboard compared to the standard Latin layout. In the German keyboard layout, the positions of the letters Z and Y are reversed.

German letters with dots on top are of great importance for the entire language as a whole. A large number of words contain them, and therefore you need to know how and where to use them.

What is umlaut

Translated from German, the word “umlaut” means “change of words”. In principle, this definition can convey the meaning of the term. Umlaut is a sign indicating a phonetic change in articulation as well as vowel timbre. These include the letters “a”, “o” and “u”. In writing they look like this: ä, ö, ü. If we translate German letters with dots on top in transcription, we get the following combinations: ä = ae; ö = oe; ü = ue. Depending on which word a particular letter is used in, the pronunciation will also differ. However, not much. Mostly “ä” is pronounced close to “e”, “ö” - like “e”, and “ü” - like “yu”.

Typing on the keyboard

When studying the German language and corresponding with someone from the native inhabitants of Germany, the need arises to type the notorious umlauts on the keyboard. And the letter “esset” (looks like the familiar “beta” - ß) too. Where can I find German letters with dots on the keyboard? This question worries many, but here you need to not only change the settings and layout parameters. You will also need to purchase an appropriate keyboard - for convenience. If this is not possible, then you can simply replace the letters with the combinations mentioned earlier - ue, ae, oe. And “esset” usually means the same thing as a double “s”. Such a spelling will not be considered an error; any German will be able to understand such a word (for example, football: “Fußball” = “Fussball”).

Tricks of the set

However, if such a spelling “hurts a person’s eyes,” or he simply loves literacy and does not want to appear like a know-nothing to the Germans, then there is a little secret that you can use when typing a message or text. You can simply enter a query called “German alphabet” in the search bar of any browser and click on search. After this, what you need will appear. That is, the alphabet. You need to open it and copy the German letters with dots on top. In order not to have to do this every time, you can save them either in a separate file or in bookmarks. But it is better, of course, to install the German layout. This is not so difficult to do, you just need to go to the control panel through “Start”, then find the “language and regional standards” item and, through the installed services, add the required language to the settings. Typically, on a Russian keyboard, the letter “Ä” is in the place of “E”, “Ö” is in the same place as “Zh”, “Ü” is “X”, and “beta” (esset) is moved to the “dash” key. Over time, you can get used to this layout, especially if you use umlauts often.

Meaning

And finally, about the role played by German letters with dots on top. Uppercase and lowercase umlauts are very important. The meaning of the word depends on whether a letter is placed in a word with or without a dot. A parallel can be drawn between German umlauts and Russian accent. So, for example, just intonation turns us into an antique castle. And in German, two dots can turn “already” into “beautiful.” We are talking about the word “sch(o/ö)n”. “Schon” is translated as “already” (“already working” - “arbeite schon”), and “schön” - as “beautiful” (“Du bist sehr schön” - “you are very beautiful”). It is also important not only to write such words correctly, but also to pronounce them. To better assimilate such specific material, it is recommended to listen to audio recordings if it is not possible to go to a German language teacher. Of course, you can read words from transcriptions, but often students begin to pronounce letters with umlauts too clearly. That is, these are pronounced “ё”, “yu” and a characteristic “e”. It shouldn’t be this way; such sounds are pronounced delicately and softly. Today there are a huge number of video and audio lessons. After several pronunciation training sessions, you will already be able to hear the results.