ß
German Small Sharp S
The German sharp s (ß), known as Eszett, is a unique letter in the German alphabet representing the voiceless sibilant /s/ sound, historically derived from a ligature of long s and z, and essential for proper German orthography.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 223
- HTML Entity
- ß
- Hexadecimal
- 0xDF
- Binary
- 11011111
- Octal
- 337
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = 'ß'; // ASCII 223HTML/Web
ß or ßCommon Uses
How to Type This Character
Windows
Mac
💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!
Related Characters
About the German Small Sharp S
Orthographic Function
Critical for correct German spelling and pronunciation, ß appears after long vowels and diphthongs (Straße, weiß, groß) but never at the beginning of words or after short vowels. Its proper usage affects meaning - 'Masse' (mass) vs 'Maße' (measurements) - making it essential for accurate German communication.
Phonetic Significance
Represents a sharp, voiceless /s/ sound that distinguishes it from the voiced /z/ sound of regular 's' between vowels. This phonetic distinction is crucial for German pronunciation and helps maintain clarity in spoken German across different dialects and regions.
Cultural Identity
Embodies German linguistic heritage and national identity, representing the unique characteristics that distinguish German from other Germanic languages. The Eszett symbolizes German orthographic tradition and resistance to linguistic simplification pressures.
Typographic Evolution
Evolved from medieval manuscript ligatures combining long s (ſ) and z, representing centuries of German scribal and printing traditions. Modern typography preserves this historical connection while adapting the character for digital formats and international character sets.
History of the German Small Sharp S
Medieval Ligature Origins
German scribes developed the ß ligature by combining the long s (ſ) with z or s, creating a distinct character to represent specific phonetic combinations in Middle High German texts.
Printing Standardization
German printers standardized the Eszett in typefaces, establishing its distinctive form and ensuring consistent usage across German-language publications throughout the Holy Roman Empire.
Orthographic Reform
The German spelling reform of 1901 codified ß usage rules, establishing when to use Eszett versus double-s and creating the orthographic standards that largely persist today.
Modern Spelling Reform
The German spelling reform refined ß usage, limiting it to positions after long vowels and diphthongs while replacing it with 'ss' after short vowels, affecting words like 'dass' (formerly 'daß').
Capital ß Introduction
The German spelling council officially approved the capital Eszett (ẞ) for use in all-caps text and official documents, completing the character's integration into modern German orthography.
Cultural Impact
The Eszett represents German linguistic uniqueness and cultural continuity, serving as a symbol of national identity while adapting to modern digital communication and international standardization pressures.
Usage Examples
Common German Words
ExampleStandard German vocabulary demonstrating ß after long vowels
Spelling Distinctions
ExampleSemantic differences dependent on correct ß usage
Formal Documents
ExampleOfficial German terminology in legal and administrative contexts
Typography and Design
ExampleTechnical considerations for German text in digital media