[a] Example: azahar. English approximation: father.
B (called "be grande" to distinguish it from "ve chica" or Spanish "v," which is very similar) is similar to the English b, but generally softer. Example: bueno (good) is pronounced "bway-noh," and ambos (both) is pronounced "ahm-bohs."
[b] Examples: bestia; embuste; vaca; envidia; fútbol. English approximation: best.
C has two separate sounds, hard and soft. When appearing in the combinations "ca", "co" and "cu", the hard Spanish "c" closely resembles the English "k" sound. When appearing in the combinations "ce" and "ci", the "c" is softer, like an English "s." Spaniards (in Northen Spain) pronounce this like the "th" in thin, while Latin Americans pronounce it like the "s". Example : casa (house) is pronounced "cah-sah," and cine (movie theater) is pronounced "see-nay."
[k] Examples: caña; laca; quise; kilo. English approximation: scan.
|
| [tʃ] | Examples | chubasco; acechar |
D is pronounced as in English, except a bit softer between vowels. Example: dar (to give) is pronounced "dahr," and dedo (finger) is pronounced "day-doh." In some regions, the "d" is pronounced almost as a "th" sound, especially between vowels.
| [d] | dedo; cuando; aldaba |
E is most often pronounced like the "a" in the word "date," Example: gente (people) is pronounced "hen-tay."
| [e] | Examples: vehemente | English approximation:set. |
F is pronounced as in English. Example: foto (photo) is pronounced "foh-toh."
| [f] | fase; café | face |
| [g] | gato; lengua; guerra |
H is silent like the "h" in the English word "hour". Example: hola (hello) is pronounced "oh-lah."
I is pronounced like the "ee" in the words "see," except the sound is shorter. Example: piel (skin) is pronounced "pee-el."
| [i] | dimitir; mío; y |
J is pronounced like the "h" in the word "hot", but more rasping (from deeper in the throat). Example: jueves (Thursday) is pronounced "hway-vays."
| [x] | jamón; general; México;hamster |
K is pronounced like an English "k". Example: kilo (kilo) is pronounced "kee-loh."
[k] Examples: caña; laca; quise; kilo. English approximation: scan.
L is similar to the English "l" in the word "like." Example: luna (moon) is pronounced "loo-nah."
| [l] | lino; alhaja; principal. |
Ll is pronounced like an English "y" and "j" put together. Example: silla (chair) is pronounced "see-jah," except the "j" is softer than in English (this is a tough one). Many dialects pronounce it as a "y" sound. Example: "see-yah." Still others pronounce it like the the "lli" in "million." Example: "seel-yah."
| [ʎ |
llave; pollo | million |
M is pronounced as in English. Example: mapa (map) is pronounced "mah-pah."
| [m] | madre; comer; campo; anfibio | mother |
N is prononced as in English. Example: nota (note) is pronounced "noh-tah."
| [n] | nido; anillo; anhelo; sin; álbum |
The Spanish "ñ" is pronounced like the "ny" in the word "canyon." Example: niños (children) is pronounced "nee-nyos."
| [ɲ] | ñandú; cañón |
O is pronounced like the hard English "o", except that the sound is shorter. Example: sol (sun) is pronounced just like the english word "sole."
| [o] | boscoso |
P is pronounced as in English. Example: pollo (chicken) is pronounced "poh-joh."
Q which always appears in combination with the letter "u" (qu) is pronounced like the English "k". Example: queso (cheese) is pronounced "kay-soh."
R has two separate sounds, niether like the English "r" sound. When it's the first letter of the word, it is trilled like an "rrr" sound. Otherwise, the "r" sounds a little like an English "d." Try it as an "r" sound, but with the tongue tapping the roof of your mouth. Example: pera (pear) is pronounced "peh-rah," but closer to a "d" sound than an "r" sound.
"rr" is a vibrating and rolled trilling sound. The single "r" is also pronounced this way when it is the first letter of a word. The "rr" sounds like you are starting your motorcycle: rrrr...rrrrrr....rrr. Example: perro (dog) is pronounced "peh-rrroh."
| [r] | rumbo; carro; honra; amor; amor eterno |
S is pronounced as in English. Example: solo (alone) is pronounced "soh-low."
T sounds like an English "t." Example: tiempo (time) is pronounced "tee-aim-poh."
U is pronounced like English "oo" in "boot" but the sound is shorter. Example: uno (one) is pronounced "ooh-noh."
W is pronounced like an Eglish "v" when it occurs between vowels, and like the English "w" when it starts a word. It is however, rarely used at all.
X has three separate sounds. At the beginning of a word it souns like an spanish "s." Example: xilofono (zylophone) is pronounced "see-loh-foh-noh." Between vowels it is pronounced as in English. Example: examen (exam) is pronounced "ex-ah-main." In certain proper nouns and words, it is pronounced like the English "h." Example: Mexico is pronounced "may-hee-coh."
Y sounds like the English "y" and "j" put together. Example: Yo (I) is pronounced "yoh," but with more of a soft "j" sound than a "y" sound ("joh," but not quite.) It is a little closer to the English "y" sound in some countries.
Z is pronounced like a soft English "s." Example: zapato (shoe) is pronounced "sah-pah-toh." In Spain, it is pronounced like the "th" in the English word "think." Example: "thah-pah-toh."