e/ě

e is a plain vowel. ě is a spelling cue: it softens d/t/n, or adds a ye-like glide after several other consonants.

What ě signals

Read ě as a signal attached to the previous consonant. The exact result depends on the consonant before it.

Clue / sound

bě

Written form

běží

Note

After b, ě sounds close to bje.

Clue / sound

pě

Written form

pět

Note

After p, ě sounds close to pje.

Clue / sound

vě

Written form

věta

Note

After v, ě sounds close to vje.

Clue / sound

mě

Written form

město

Note

mě is pronounced with a softened n-like effect.

Clue / sound

dě

Written form

děkuju

Note

After d, ě signals a softened ď sound.

Clue / sound	Written form	Note
bě	běží	After b, ě sounds close to bje.
pě	pět	After p, ě sounds close to pje.
vě	věta	After v, ě sounds close to vje.
mě	město	mě is pronounced with a softened n-like effect.
dě	děkuju	After d, ě signals a softened ď sound.