Czech "Softening" Vowel

Ěě

The Czech vowel "ě" can only appear after the following consonants: b, d, m, n, p, t, v. It can only be pronounced in connection with these consonants, not by itself. The vowel softens the preceding consonant or the syllable in which it appears.

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Pronunciation of "bě", "pě", "vě"
Pronounced as "bje", "pje", "vje" (see Selected Consonants - "j")
oběd - lunch
pět - five
devět - nine

Pronunciation of "dě", "tě", "ně"
The "ě" softens the preceding consonant (see Soft Consonants)
anděl - angel
těsto - dough
Německo - Germany

Pronunciation of "mě"
Pronounced as "mně", as if "n" was inserted between the "m" and "ě" (see pronunciation of "ně" above)
město - city

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