ß

Etymology
Abbreviation of

Symbol

 * 1)  Apothecary symbol for half.

Symbol

 * 1)  A ligature representing  in italic text.
 * 1)  A ligature representing  in italic text.
 * 1)  A ligature representing  in italic text.

Etymology

 * is from West Germanic post-vocalic *t and *ss.

Usage notes

 * Doubling of ß yields ss, see.
 * In the Dutch-based spelling, is always represented by s.

Letter

 * 1)  or, a German letter based on a ligature of ſ (long s) and z.

Usage notes
In alphabetic ordering, ß is equivalent to the string ss. For example, one would order:. The letter also alternates with ss in inflections and derivatives, e.g. → past tense, though such cases are now fairly rare.

The current rules for the choice between ß and ss were introduced in 1996. They follow the simple principle that ss is used after short vowels and ß otherwise (i.e. after long vowels and diphthongs). Hence  is distinguished from. The earlier rules were more complicated and less phonetic. They prescribed that ß was additionally used in the syllable coda regardless of vowel length. Thus, but , and , but (modern spelling , ). The older spelling has become rare, but is still used by some older language users.

In Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the letter ß is not used at all. So is spelt, and the above distinction between  and  is lost in favour of the latter. This use is also often seen in Luxembourg and occasionally in South Tyrol, but ß is standard in both of these areas. Moreover one encounters the same spelling in German books printed in script until the early 20th century, because an antiqua ß did not yet exist. A rarer alternative was to replace ß with sz.

It is standard to replace ß with SS in all caps:. However, in 2017 a new uppercase ẞ was introduced, so it is now also correct to spell. The use of a lowercase ß is sometimes seen, but is proscribed. In capitalizing a few words which would become ambiguous if ß were changed to SS, SZ may be used instead, hence MASZE (Maße) may be kept distinct from MASSE (Masse), BUSZE (Buße) from BUSSE (Busse).

Symbol

 * 1)  A ligature representing .

Usage notes

 * Became increasingly scarce by the late 18th century, but could still be found in certain blackletter newspapers up until the late 19th century.
 * Also know as and.