Pronunciation is an important factor in Dutch vs German, and which is easier depends on the learner.

Why Dutch Pronunciation Is Difficult

• Harsh "G" sound: The Dutch "g" is guttural, similar to the Arabic or Hebrew "kh".

• Dipthongs (two vowel sounds in one syllable): Words like "huis" (house) and "ui" (onion) have sounds that do not exist in German or English.

• Unusual vowel combinations: Words like "schrijver" (writer) can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Why German Pronunciation Is Difficult

• Consonant clusters: German words can be long and contain multiple consonants together (e.g., "Schmetterling" = butterfly).

• Umlauts (ä, ö, ü): German uses these special vowel sounds, which can be challenging for beginners.

• Harsh "ch" sound: Found in words like "Buch" (book) or "ich" (I), which English speakers may struggle with.

Verdict: In Dutch vs German, pronunciation is difficult in both, but English speakers may struggle more with Dutch’s "g" and vowel sounds, while German’s consonant clusters and umlauts also present challenges.