Education & Study

How to Pronounce Spanish Words

Know the five vowels., Say the letter "a.", Pronounce the letter "e." The letter "e" in Spanish sounds like the "e" in "weigh" or the "a" in the word "late.", Practice saying the letter "i.", Say the letter "o.", Be careful with the letter "u.", Do...

19 Steps 7 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Know the five vowels.

    The Spanish language uses the same vowels that are used in the English language, "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u." There are five vowel sounds that you should become familiar with.

    Unlike the English language, each of these vowels always makes the same sound in every single word.

    Also remember that vowels are never silent when you are pronouncing Spanish words., The letter "a" in Spanish is sounds like the "a" in the word "father." If a Spanish word has more than one "a," all of the "a"s will make the same sound (e.g. mañana). "Mañana" sounds like "mah-nya-nah"The long "a" found in words such as "blame" or "name" is never used when you speak Spanish., For example, "pero" should sound like you are saying "pay-ro." The long "e" sound in words like "need" or "speed" are not used when you are speaking Spanish., The letter "i" in Spanish sounds like the "i" in the word "machine."The Spanish "i" also sounds like the long "e" in the word "be." Never pronounce "i" with the sound used in the word "hide," "if," or "hit."For example, "hijo" sounds like "ee-ha."

    The letter "o" in Spanish is always pronounced as a long "o" in the English language.

    Spanish "o"s sound like the "o" in the word "no."Avoid pronouncing the "o" that is used in the word "opportunity" and "other." For example, "como" sounds like "koh-moh."

    The letter "u" in Spanish is pronounced like the "u" in the word "lunar." This letter only makes one sound in the Spanish language.

    In English, words that begin with the letter "u" (e.g. useful, utilize) make a "y" sound.

    However, do not use this pronunciation of the letter "u" when you pronounce Spanish words."Cúrcuma" sounds like "koor-koo-mah." The letter "u" never makes the sound found in the word "flutter" or "ultimate" either., Native English speakers have a tendency to drag out vowel sounds.

    Spanish vowels should be pronounced using short sounds.

    For example, in English you may pronounce the word "hey," as "heeeeey." Instead, keep the pronunciation short as if you are saying "late."Elongating the sound of your vowels when you speak Spanish will alert others that you are not a native Spanish speaker and can make it more difficult for other people to understand what you are saying. , A diphthong is two vowels next to each other.

    When you see this, pronounce the sound of the first vowel and then pronounce the sound of the second vowel.

    Practice until you can say the two sounds as one syllable.

    You will have to make the sounds quickly and not drag out the sounds of each individual vowel.For example, "feo" sounds like "feh-oh,"cuando" sounds like "kooahn-doh"

    and "suizo" sounds like "sooee-soh."

    Some consonants are pronounced the same in English and Spanish including the letters: "d," "f," "k," "l," "m," "n," "p," and "t." The letter "b" is also pronounced the same in both English and Spanish.

    Note that the letter "b" and "v" are pronounced the same when you speak Spanish.

    For example, the word "vaca" sounds like "baca."

    There is no sound for the letter "h" in the Spanish language.

    When you see an "h," pronounce the word as if it is not there at all.For example, ignore the "h" in words such as "hola" and "hombre." The only exception to the silent "h" is if you see "ch" together.

    Say "ch" as you normally would in English (e.g. cheers, child).The "ch" sound is the "ch" from the Scottish language. "Hola" sounds like "oh-la."

    In most instances, the letter "c" is pronounced as a "k" in the English language (e.g. case, careful, carpet).

    Words such as "casa," "cosa," and "cuota" follow this rule.

    If the "c" is before the letter "e" or "i" (e.g. cielo, acento), pronounce is as an "s" like in the word "sin."You also use the "k" sound when you see the letters "qu." For example, you would pronounce "quiero" as if it is spelled "kiero."

    The sound of the English "j" in words like "judge" and "jump" is never used when you speak Spanish.Most native English speakers are able to pronounce a "j" as a strong "h".

    For example, "jugar" would sound like "hoo-gar."However,this is not the exact sound that a native Spanish speaker would make.

    The Spanish "j" makes the same sound as the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch," but we do not have this sound in the English language so it is more difficult.The "ch" sound is similar to an "x"or "ks" sound used in the word "box." The "j" sound is difficult and will take practice to pronounce correctly., To practice rolling your "r," say "brr" but use your tongue instead of your lips to make the sound.

    Your tongue should touch your upper teeth/roof of your mouth to help make the sound. , The double consonant "ll" has a unique sound.

    Treat "ll" as the letter "y" as in the English word "yes" or "you."For example, the word "llama" should be pronounced as if it is spelled "yama." The Spanish "pollo" sounds like "poy-yoh."You are probably used to pronouncing "ll" correctly when you say the word "tortilla." Just keep this in mind when you see any other Spanish words with an "ll."

    Flap your tongue against the roof of your mouth to mahe the "rr" sound.

    The "rr" sound is called a trilled sound.

    You may sometimes see a "cc." You will only see this in front of an "i" or an "e." Pronounce the "cc" as a "ks." The word " acción" would be pronounced as " aks-ión."

    This pronunciation usually applies to Mexican names such as "Mexico," "Oaxaca," "Texas," and "Xochimilco." You may see the words "Mexico" and "Texas" written as "Mejico" or "Tejas." In the word "Xochimilcho," the letter "x" is pronounced like as "s." If you see an "x" in a word that is not some sort of name (e.g. exito, taxi, explicar), pronounce the "x" as you normally would in English., The sound the letter "g" makes will depend on the letters around it.

    If the "g" is before an "a," "o," or "u," pronounce it as a hard "g" sound like in the word "golly." Spanish words like "gato" and "agonia" follow this rule.

    If the "g" is before an "e" or an "i," it sounds like the Spanish "j." Spanish words like "gente," and "gigante" are pronounced using the Spanish "j" sound.The combination of "gu" makes a single sound and changes depending on the letters around it as well.

    If "gu" is before an "i" or an "e," it makes the hard "g" sound.

    Words like "guerra" and "guisar" are examples of this.

    If "gu" is before an "a" or an "o," it sounds like a "gw." Examples of this rule include words like "guante," "guapo," and "ambiguo."

    The pronunciation of the letter "z" will vary depending on the type of Spanish that you are speaking.

    In Spain, "z" is pronounced as a "th" like in the words "they" or "there." In other Spanish speaking countries, the letter "z" is pronounced exactly like the letter "s." The Spanish "z" never sounds like the English "z" in the word "zone."For example, "zapato" may be pronounced as "sapato" or "thapato" depending on the dialect. , The Spanish "ñ" is pronounced as an "ny." It sounds the same as when you say the "ny" in the word "canyon."This distinction is important because it can change the meaning of a word.

    For example, "ordeñar" means to milk something.

    While "ordenar" means to organize.

  2. Step 2: Say the letter "a."

  3. Step 3: Pronounce the letter "e." The letter "e" in Spanish sounds like the "e" in "weigh" or the "a" in the word "late."

  4. Step 4: Practice saying the letter "i."

  5. Step 5: Say the letter "o."

  6. Step 6: Be careful with the letter "u."

  7. Step 7: Do not drag out the sound.

  8. Step 8: Practice diphthongs.

  9. Step 9: Know the similarities with the English language.

  10. Step 10: Make your "h" silent.

  11. Step 11: Pay attention to the letter "c".

  12. Step 12: Pronounce "j" as an "h".

  13. Step 13: Role your "r"s. The letter "r" is always rolled when you speak Spanish.This may be difficult for some native English speakers because this sound does not exist in the English language.

  14. Step 14: Look out for double consonants.

  15. Step 15: "R" and "rr" make different sounds.

  16. Step 16: Pronounce "x" like a "j" or an "sh".

  17. Step 17: Be careful with the letter "g".

  18. Step 18: Adjust how you say "z".

  19. Step 19: Recognize the difference between "n" and "ñ".

Detailed Guide

The Spanish language uses the same vowels that are used in the English language, "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u." There are five vowel sounds that you should become familiar with.

Unlike the English language, each of these vowels always makes the same sound in every single word.

Also remember that vowels are never silent when you are pronouncing Spanish words., The letter "a" in Spanish is sounds like the "a" in the word "father." If a Spanish word has more than one "a," all of the "a"s will make the same sound (e.g. mañana). "Mañana" sounds like "mah-nya-nah"The long "a" found in words such as "blame" or "name" is never used when you speak Spanish., For example, "pero" should sound like you are saying "pay-ro." The long "e" sound in words like "need" or "speed" are not used when you are speaking Spanish., The letter "i" in Spanish sounds like the "i" in the word "machine."The Spanish "i" also sounds like the long "e" in the word "be." Never pronounce "i" with the sound used in the word "hide," "if," or "hit."For example, "hijo" sounds like "ee-ha."

The letter "o" in Spanish is always pronounced as a long "o" in the English language.

Spanish "o"s sound like the "o" in the word "no."Avoid pronouncing the "o" that is used in the word "opportunity" and "other." For example, "como" sounds like "koh-moh."

The letter "u" in Spanish is pronounced like the "u" in the word "lunar." This letter only makes one sound in the Spanish language.

In English, words that begin with the letter "u" (e.g. useful, utilize) make a "y" sound.

However, do not use this pronunciation of the letter "u" when you pronounce Spanish words."Cúrcuma" sounds like "koor-koo-mah." The letter "u" never makes the sound found in the word "flutter" or "ultimate" either., Native English speakers have a tendency to drag out vowel sounds.

Spanish vowels should be pronounced using short sounds.

For example, in English you may pronounce the word "hey," as "heeeeey." Instead, keep the pronunciation short as if you are saying "late."Elongating the sound of your vowels when you speak Spanish will alert others that you are not a native Spanish speaker and can make it more difficult for other people to understand what you are saying. , A diphthong is two vowels next to each other.

When you see this, pronounce the sound of the first vowel and then pronounce the sound of the second vowel.

Practice until you can say the two sounds as one syllable.

You will have to make the sounds quickly and not drag out the sounds of each individual vowel.For example, "feo" sounds like "feh-oh,"cuando" sounds like "kooahn-doh"

and "suizo" sounds like "sooee-soh."

Some consonants are pronounced the same in English and Spanish including the letters: "d," "f," "k," "l," "m," "n," "p," and "t." The letter "b" is also pronounced the same in both English and Spanish.

Note that the letter "b" and "v" are pronounced the same when you speak Spanish.

For example, the word "vaca" sounds like "baca."

There is no sound for the letter "h" in the Spanish language.

When you see an "h," pronounce the word as if it is not there at all.For example, ignore the "h" in words such as "hola" and "hombre." The only exception to the silent "h" is if you see "ch" together.

Say "ch" as you normally would in English (e.g. cheers, child).The "ch" sound is the "ch" from the Scottish language. "Hola" sounds like "oh-la."

In most instances, the letter "c" is pronounced as a "k" in the English language (e.g. case, careful, carpet).

Words such as "casa," "cosa," and "cuota" follow this rule.

If the "c" is before the letter "e" or "i" (e.g. cielo, acento), pronounce is as an "s" like in the word "sin."You also use the "k" sound when you see the letters "qu." For example, you would pronounce "quiero" as if it is spelled "kiero."

The sound of the English "j" in words like "judge" and "jump" is never used when you speak Spanish.Most native English speakers are able to pronounce a "j" as a strong "h".

For example, "jugar" would sound like "hoo-gar."However,this is not the exact sound that a native Spanish speaker would make.

The Spanish "j" makes the same sound as the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch," but we do not have this sound in the English language so it is more difficult.The "ch" sound is similar to an "x"or "ks" sound used in the word "box." The "j" sound is difficult and will take practice to pronounce correctly., To practice rolling your "r," say "brr" but use your tongue instead of your lips to make the sound.

Your tongue should touch your upper teeth/roof of your mouth to help make the sound. , The double consonant "ll" has a unique sound.

Treat "ll" as the letter "y" as in the English word "yes" or "you."For example, the word "llama" should be pronounced as if it is spelled "yama." The Spanish "pollo" sounds like "poy-yoh."You are probably used to pronouncing "ll" correctly when you say the word "tortilla." Just keep this in mind when you see any other Spanish words with an "ll."

Flap your tongue against the roof of your mouth to mahe the "rr" sound.

The "rr" sound is called a trilled sound.

You may sometimes see a "cc." You will only see this in front of an "i" or an "e." Pronounce the "cc" as a "ks." The word " acción" would be pronounced as " aks-ión."

This pronunciation usually applies to Mexican names such as "Mexico," "Oaxaca," "Texas," and "Xochimilco." You may see the words "Mexico" and "Texas" written as "Mejico" or "Tejas." In the word "Xochimilcho," the letter "x" is pronounced like as "s." If you see an "x" in a word that is not some sort of name (e.g. exito, taxi, explicar), pronounce the "x" as you normally would in English., The sound the letter "g" makes will depend on the letters around it.

If the "g" is before an "a," "o," or "u," pronounce it as a hard "g" sound like in the word "golly." Spanish words like "gato" and "agonia" follow this rule.

If the "g" is before an "e" or an "i," it sounds like the Spanish "j." Spanish words like "gente," and "gigante" are pronounced using the Spanish "j" sound.The combination of "gu" makes a single sound and changes depending on the letters around it as well.

If "gu" is before an "i" or an "e," it makes the hard "g" sound.

Words like "guerra" and "guisar" are examples of this.

If "gu" is before an "a" or an "o," it sounds like a "gw." Examples of this rule include words like "guante," "guapo," and "ambiguo."

The pronunciation of the letter "z" will vary depending on the type of Spanish that you are speaking.

In Spain, "z" is pronounced as a "th" like in the words "they" or "there." In other Spanish speaking countries, the letter "z" is pronounced exactly like the letter "s." The Spanish "z" never sounds like the English "z" in the word "zone."For example, "zapato" may be pronounced as "sapato" or "thapato" depending on the dialect. , The Spanish "ñ" is pronounced as an "ny." It sounds the same as when you say the "ny" in the word "canyon."This distinction is important because it can change the meaning of a word.

For example, "ordeñar" means to milk something.

While "ordenar" means to organize.

About the Author

J

Jeffrey Reed

Experienced content creator specializing in organization guides and tutorials.

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