Spanish pronunciation guide covering sounds, accent rules, and common pitfalls for English speakers.
Spanish pronunciation is generally consistent and straightforward, with each letter (or combination) having a specific sound. Unlike English, Spanish is mostly phonetic—words are pronounced as they are spelled. Mastery involves understanding individual sounds, syllable stress, and rhythm.
Spanish Vowels
Spanish has five pure vowel sounds: a, e, i, o, u. They are always pronounced clearly and never as diphthongs unless combined in the same syllable.
| Spanish Vowel | English Equivalent | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | father | casa | house |
| e | bet | mesa | table |
| i | machine | libro | book |
| o | more | ojo | eye |
| u | rule | luna | moon |
La letra '___' en español suena como la 'i' en 'machine'.
Which Spanish vowel corresponds to the English sound in 'machine'?
i
The Spanish vowel 'i' is pronounced like the 'ee' in 'machine,' producing a clear, high vowel sound.
Spanish Consonants
Most Spanish consonants are similar to English, but some have unique pronunciations, especially c, g, h, j, ll, ñ, r, rr, and z.
| Spanish Consonant | English Equivalent | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| b / v | b (soft/bilabial) | vaca | cow |
| c | k / s | casa / cena | house / dinner |
| g | g / h | gato / gente | cat / people |
| h | silent | hora | hour |
| j | h (throat) | jugo | juice |
| l | l | luz | light |
| ll | y / j (varies) | lluvia | rain |
| m | m | mano | hand |
| n | n | niño | child |
| ñ | ny | año | year |
| p | p | pan | bread |
| r | flap | pero | but |
| rr | trill | perro | dog |
| s | s | sol | sun |
| t | t | taza | cup |
| z | s (in Spain) | zapato | shoe |
La letra 'j' en español se pronuncia como un sonido ___ en la garganta.
How is the Spanish 'j' pronounced?
h (throat)
The Spanish 'j' is pronounced like a strong 'h' sound produced in the throat, similar to the Scottish 'loch.'
Special Letter Combinations
Some letter pairs create unique sounds, especially when it comes to ch, qu, gu, and ll.
| Combination | Pronunciation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ch | ch (church) | chico | boy |
| qu | k (before e/i) | queso | cheese |
| gu | g / w (before e/i) | guerra / guitarra | war / guitar |
| ll | y / j (varies) | llamar | to call |
Syllable Stress and Accent Marks
Spanish word stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable. If the stress deviates, an accent mark (´) indicates the stressed syllable.
| Rule | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Stress on penultimate syllable (default) | casa | house |
| Stress on last syllable (words ending in consonant other than n/s) | ciudad | city |
| Stress indicated by accent mark | corazón | heart |
| Stress on third-to-last syllable (with accent) | rápidamente | quickly |
Common Pronunciation Challenges for English Speakers
Certain sounds and rules can be tricky for English speakers learning Spanish.
| Challenge | Explanation | Spanish Example | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling r (rr) | Trilled r sound | perro | Practice with “trrr” vibrations |
| Soft b/v | Both sound like soft b | vino / beso | Don’t use hard “v” sound |
| c/g before e/i | c=s, g=h | cena / gente | Avoid hard c/g here |
| ñ | ny sound | niño | Think “canyon” without the “ca” |
| j | throat h | jugo | Exhale softly, avoid hard “j” |
Spanish Pronunciation Rules Summary
- Vowels are pure and consistent (a, e, i, o, u).
- Consonants mostly match English but watch special cases (c, g, j, ll, ñ, r, rr, z).
- Stress falls on the penultimate syllable unless marked by an accent.
- Roll your r’s with the double “r” and at the start of words.
- Silent “h” and hard or soft sounds depend on context.
Understanding these basics will help you pronounce Spanish words accurately and confidently.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- English Equivalent: father
- English Example: house
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
