1. Before a vowel:
* "j" is pronounced like the English "y" sound. For example:
* ja (yes) - pronounced "ya"
* jemand (someone) - pronounced "yemant"
* Junge (boy) - pronounced "yungə"
2. Before a consonant:
* "j" is silent. For example:
* Jäger (hunter) - pronounced "yɛːɡɐ"
* Joghurt (yogurt) - pronounced "joːɡʊʁt"
3. In the digraph "ch":
* "j" before "ch" is pronounced like the English "y" sound. For example:
* ja, ich (yes, I) - pronounced "ya, ɪç"
* ja, ich möchte (yes, I would like) - pronounced "ya, ɪç mœçtə"
Important Note:
* The sound of "j" is not exactly the same as the English "y" sound. It's a bit softer and more like the "y" in the French word "oui" (yes).
* In some dialects, the pronunciation of "j" before a vowel can vary slightly.